A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
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PHASMID STUDIES
Volume 16, numbers 1 & 2.
September & December 2007.
Editor: Dr. P.E. Bragg. .
Produced by the Phasmid Study Group
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
The Phasmid Study Group.
The Phasmid Study Group (PSG) was formed in
1980 to foster the study of phasmids. The group
currently has several hundred members worldwide.
The membership ranges from young children to
professional entomologists. The PSG holds regular
meetings and presents displays at all the major
entomological exhibitions in the U.K. The PSG
places emphasis on study by rearing and captive
breeding and has a panel of breeders who distribute
livestock to other members. The PSG produces two
publications which are issued free to members.
The Phasmid Study Group Newsletter is issued quarterly and contains news items, livestock
information, details of exhibitions and meetings, and a variety of short articles on all aspects of
phasmids.
Phasmid Studies is issued on-line and in print. Typically it is produced biannually, in March and
September. It contains longer articles on all aspects of phasmids, with an emphasis on natural
history, captive breeding, taxonomy, and behavioural studies. Each issue contains abstracts of
papers from other recent publications. Electronic copies of Phasmid Studies are deposited in the
following libraries: British Library, U.K.; Hope Library, Oxford University Museum of
Natural History, UK; Nottingham University Library, UK.
Details of membership may be obtained from the Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Paul
Brock, "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks, SL2 1SR, U.K.
Annual subscription rates are currently: U.K. £12.00; Europe £14.00; Worldwide £15.00.
Phasma.
This is a Dutch-Belgian group with similar aims to the Phasmid Study
Group. It produces a quarterly newsletter, Phasma , which is published
in Dutch. Regular meetings are held in Belgium or the Netherlands.
Details of Phasma may be obtained from Kristien Rabaey,
Nieuwpoortkeiweg 39, B-8630 Veurne, Belgium.
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Contributions
1 . Articles are welcome from anyone and the editor is prepared to offer advice and help to contributors. The
editor would like to encourage people with no previous experience to write articles for Phasmid Studies.
2. Articles are reviewed by independent referees at the discretion of the editor.
3. Articles are accepted for publication in Phasmid Studies on the understanding that they may be translated
and reproduced in Phasma.
4. Authors will be provided with a pdf file of their paper for distribution.
5. Contributions should be addressed to: Dr. P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire,
NG16 2QP, U.K. or emailed to Pbragg@aol.com with “Phasmid Studies” in the subject box.
Instructions to authors
Articles for publication in Phasmid Studies may be submitted in printed form or by email, however if submitted by
email authors are advised to contact the editor in advance. Refer to a recent copy of Phasmid Studies for
layout of articles. In particular the following points should be noted.
1. The title should be followed by the author(s) name and address, an abstract, a list of key words, an
introduction (if necessary), the main article, and finally a list of references.
2. The abstract should briefly summarise the article. For short articles one or two sentences should suffice; for
longer articles the abstract should not exceed 400 words.
3. A list of key words should be given. These should cover the main topics in the article but there should not
be more than 25 key words.
4. All titles and headings should be in bold print and not underlined. The main title and all side-headings
should be aligned on the left hand side of the page. If the article is lengthy major headings may be created
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exceptions to this are where measurements are involved, or in descriptions of insects, in both cases numerals
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10. Where measurements are given a space should not be left between numerals and units e.g. 6mm, not 6 mm.
1 1 . References in the text should include the author and date, and page number if appropriate, these should be
given in the form Smith (1982: 123), or (Smith, 1982: 123). In the references section, the names of authors
and the volume numbers of journals should be printed in bold. Journal titles and book titles should be given
in full (not abbreviated) and should be printed in italics.
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should be used for all organisations and publications.
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should be submitted in Bit Map (BMP) or TIFF or JPEG format.
17. If the word processor used does not have a table facility then tables of measurements etc. should be laid out
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18. Where museums are abbreviated standard codens should be used, as defined in Arnett, R.H., Samuelson, G.A. &
Nishida, G.M. (1993) The insect and spider collections of the world, [second edition] Sandhill Crane Press,
Gainesville, Florida. [Codens are available online at http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/codens/ ].
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid Studies
Volume 16, numbers 1 & 2.
Contents
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 3. Hermann Burmeister.
P.E. Bragg 1
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 4. William Forsell Kirby.
P.E. Bragg 5
A description of the male and egg of Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865)
(Diapheromeridae: Necrosciinae).
P.E. Bragg 11
Reviews and Abstracts
Book Review 16
Phasmid Abstracts 16
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 5. Carl Linnaeus.
P.E. Bragg 19
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther.
P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro 25
Notes on Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835) and Necroscia bistriolata (Redtenbacher,
1908).
P.E. Bragg 34
Reviews and Abstracts.
Book Review 42
Phasmid Abstracts 43
Cover illustration: Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865) holotype female, from Bates, 1865.
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 3. Hermann Burmeister.
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Abstract
Karl Hermann Konrad Burmeister was a German zoologist and entomologist. His life and phasmid work are
outlined. Although he published over 75 entomological papers, only Handbuch der Entomologie (1838)
included any work on phasmids. Burmeister’ s phasmid work was limited but important in historical terms. He
described one new genus, renamed a second, and described 32 new species: a significant number at that time.
Key words
Phasmida, Phasmatologist, Hermann Burmeister, Biography.
Hermann Burmeister (1807-1892)
Karl Hermann Konrad Burmeister, usually known as
Hermann Burmeister, was a German zoologist and
entomologist. He was the son of a Customs official and was
born in Stralsund, Germany, on 15 th January 1807.
He studied at the University of Greifswald in 1926 and
the University of Halle from 1827-1829 studying Science
and Medicine. He developed an acquaintance with
Alexander von Humboldt (brother of Wilhelm von
Humboldt, founder of Berlin University), and in Berlin he
qualified to teach at university level. In 1937, Burmeister
was appointed "Professor Extraordinary" at the University of
Halle and progressed to Professor of Zoology in 1842.
Burmeister remained in Halle from 1837 until 1861. In 1848
he was chosen as a member of the Berlin parliament, but
resigned due to ill health.
Through the support of Alexander von Humboldt,
Burmeister travelled to Brazil where he studied
natural history in the states of Minas Gerais and
Rio de Janiero from September 1850 to March
1852; the journey was, at least in part, in the hope
of a warmer climate improving his health.
In 1853 the introduction to the translation of
one of his papers said “he now ranks as one of the
most eminent and popular teachers in Germany”
(New York Evening Post, 1853). In late 1856,
Burmeister visited Argentina and Uruguay
returning to Germany with zoological collections.
In 1861 he went to live in Argentina, but it was a
time of political unrest, and he found his
appointment to the museum in Buenos Aires had
been revoked by the new government minister.
The political unrest in the country was resolved,
and in February 1862 he became the Director of the
National Museum of Natural History in Buenos
Aires where he worked for thirty years. His death
on 2nd May 1892 resulted from a failure to recover
from injuries sustained when he fell down a
staircase.
Phasmid Studies , 16(1): 1.
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P.E. Bragg
Figure 3.
Marmessoidea quadriguttata - Male.
Figure 4.
Necroscia prasina - Female.
Burmeister was a naturalist with a wide range of interests including entomology,
palaeontology, ornithology, geology, and meteorology. He was an opponent of Darwin &
Wallace’s theory of evolution. He seems to have been a difficult person both to work with,
and live with; he was described as “a very distinguished man of knowledge, but as a man he
has his weaknesses -lack of amiability and tact, and too much appreciation of himself.
Moreover, he is unhappily married, which adds a dry and brusque aspect to his character”
(Giilich in Auza, 1996: 138).
His appointment to Buenos Aires museum was viewed as a sign of respectability for
Science in Argentina, but over time there developed a feeling amongst some that he was too
self-centred; he certainly caused difficulties for many other scientists. He established the
museum’s journal, Anales del Museo Publico , but prevented anyone else from publishing in
it; the single exception was one article by his son, Carlos, who worked for the museum as a
travelling naturalist. There were also disagreements about who had the intellectual rights to
results obtained by naturalists at the new Cordoba Academy of Exact Sciences; Burmeister
had been appointed as scientific director and insisted everything was published under his
name: several professors resigned. Much of his work in Argentina was on palaeontology, and
he also described many new species of a variety of animals.
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 1 ): 2
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 3. Hermann Burmeister
In addition to his many publications on palaeontology, Burmeister published over 75
entomological papers; his entomological research dealt primarily with Coleoptera.
Burmeister provided a review of the classification and taxonomy of insects in his five volume
Handbuch der Entomologie (1832-1847) which was said to “embrace the results of fifteen
years of devoted study to the subject” (New York Evening Post, 1853); that was his only
publication to deal with phasmids.
586 Orbnung. tauter fe (Gynmognatha),
cc. £)f)nc ctQentUrtjcn £>oito unb ofjne ©tadfjctn auf ben JfhJgel;
beefen. —
8. Ph. p v a s i n u m * : viride , unicolor $ alarum area postica
incarnata; mesonoto granulato, linea media nee non utrinque late-
ral! elevata. Long, 2" 4"'.
a3on- Saint unb Borneo, baud; Jpemi be Jgaan nacf; Berlin
unb d?al le gefenbet.
B. !Q I) n c S? e f> c n a u 3 0 n. —
Sie 2(rten btefeu ©eftion I)a6en eiirnt glatten fugeltgeit ivopf,
befien 0d)eitel gcrofilbt unb f)6f)er i(l als be t* ^brot^oraje; einett fef)t*
bunnen, jierlic&en adetmeift cttt>a^ fSrmgen 3Refotl)ow, unb jtei'lic&e
fdjlcmfe Beme* 0ie bcrootjtvm famnitlid), fo hide mir befannt tuuv?
bett/ Ojltnbien, 3&oa, Borneo unb ©umatra.
a. ^ligelbedfen fm;$, auf bcc SDHttc giemlid) mcrEttd) edja&cn.
9, Ph. 4g , uttatum*: viride, elytris 'guttis 4 sulphureis ;
alarum area postiea purpurea. Long, I"' 10'", $. 3".
S3on Borneo.
Figure 5. The upper half of page 586 of Handbuch der Entomologie.
Work on phasmids
Burmeister did not do much work on phasmids. His importance as a phasmatologist is
largely due to his work having been done in the very early days of Linnean taxonomy, when
very common species were still undescribed. His phasmids are described in part one of
volume two of Handbuch der Entomologie (Burmeister, 1838); part two of volume two was
published in 1839. Although he only describes one new genus and 32 new species, some of
the species are well-known, and quite common species, e.g. Phobaeticus acanthopus
(Burmeister). Figure 3 shows the top half of page 586, giving Burmeister’s descriptions of
Phasma prasinum and Phasma 4guttatum , now known as Necroscia prasina (Burmeister),
and Marmessoidea quadriguttata (Burmeister). I have included photographs of these two
species (figs 3 and 4).
He described Bacunculus, on page 566, as a new sub-genus of Bacteria ; subsequently it
has been treated as a genus. On page 576, Burmeister renamed Aplopus Gray, 1835 as
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 3
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P.E. Bragg
Haplopus because he (incorrectly) considered Gray’s name to be wrongly formed. Zompro
(2005) recently clarified the confusion surrounding Aplopus and Haplopus.
Burmeister’s 32 new species names (with page numbers)
2guttatum (Phasma)
..586.
gracilis ( Bacillus )
561.
4guttatum (Phasma)
..586.
hastata (Bacteria)
567.
acanthomera (Cyphocrania) .
..579.
lichenale (Phasma)
584.
acanthopus ( Bacteria )
..565.
longicornis (Cladoxerus) ....
572.
aurita ( Bacteria )
..565.
muricata (Bacteria)
564.
auritus (Acanthoderus)
..569.
ornatum (Phasma)
585.
bis-2guttatum (Phasma)
..586.
prasinum (Phasma)
586.
brevipenne (Phasma)
..584.
scabrosus (Acanthoderus) ..
569.
brevis (Bacillus)
..562.
spatulata (Bacteria)
566.
calcarata (Bacteria)
..566.
spiniceps (Prisopus)
588.
ceratophyllus (Haplopus)
..577.
spinicolle (Phasma)
585.
cornutus (Acanthoderus)
..569.
spinicollis (Prisopus)
588.
eucnemis (Haplopus)
..577.
spinosa (Bacteria)
567.
ferula (Bacteria)
..564.
striata (Bacteria)
567.
gibbosa (Diapherodes)
..575.
tridens (Bacteria)
567.
gracilis ( Bacteria )
..567.
venosum (Phasma)
585.
Although many of Burmeister's collections are in the museum at Martin Luther University,
Halle (MLUH), his phasmid work was done in Berlin and consequently most of these
specimens are in the museum at Humbolt University, Berlin (ZMHB). He did not illustrate
any of his phasmids and the text is difficult to read because it is printed in a gothic font (see
fig. 5).
References
Auza, N.T. (1996) "German Burmeister y la Sociedad Paleontologica, 1866-1868", Investigaciones y ensayos,
46: 137-155.
Burmeister, H. (1838) Handbuch der Entomologie, Volume 2. Berlin.
New York Evening Post (1853) The Black Man. The comparative anatomy and psychology of the African
Nigro.
Zompro, O, (2005) Haplopus Burmeister, 1838, replacement name for Aplopus Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea).
Phasmid Studies, 13(1&2): 30.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 4
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 4. William Forsell Kirby.
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Abstract
William Forsell Kirby (1844-1912) was an English entomologist and folklorist. His life and phasmid work is
outlined. He described 70 species and 22 genera of phasmids. His Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera was a
complete catalogue of world species that has served phasmatologists for 100 years.
Key words
Phasmida, Phasmatologist, William Forsell Kirby, Biography.
William Forsell Kirby (1844-1912)
William Forsell Kirby, an English
entomologist and folklorist, was born
in Leicester on 14 th January 1844. The
son of Samuel Kirby a banker, and his
wife Lydia Forsell, he was educated
privately, and became interested in
butterflies and moths at an early age.
After his father died and the family had
moved, he joined the Brighton and
Sussex Entomological Society. His
first published entomological article
was in the Entomologist’s Weekly
Intelligencer in 1856. In 1860 he
moved and took up a job in London.
He was elected as a fellow of the
Entomological Society of London in
1861; in later years he was Secretary of
the Society. He published a small
Manual of European Butterflies in
1862 and became acquainted with
various famous entomologists,
including J.O. Westwood and H.W.
Bates.
Kirby spent most of 1866 in Germany where he met Johanna Maria Kappel. They
married in 1866 and had one son, William, in 1867. In 1867 he became a curator in the
Museum of the Royal Dublin Society (later the National Museum of Science and Art), and
produced a Synonymic Catalogue of Diurnal Lepidoptera (1871) which made him famous in
the world of entomology.
He lived in Dublin from 1867 until his appointment as an Assistant at the British
Museum (Natural History) in 1879 where he remained until he retired in 1909. On moving
back to London he lived close to his friend H.W. Bates for a while; a few years later, in 1896,
he named two species of phasmids after Bates. At the British Museum he worked on various
orders of insects. He published several catalogues on different orders of insects including
Lepidoptera, Odonata, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera, but also published popular books and
articles on Entomology including an Elementary Text-book of Entomology (1885). Some of
his best-known natural history publications include Manual of European Butterflies (1862),
Synonymic Catalogue of Diurnal Lepidoptera (1871), Hand-book to the order Lepidoptera
(1897), Familiar butterflies and moths (1901), Butterflies and moths of Europe (1902-04),
and the three volume Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera in the Collection of the British
Museum (1904, 1906, 1910).
Figure 1. William Forsell Kirby.
Phasmid Studies , 16(1): 5.
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P.E. Bragg
Kirby had wide interests and exceptional ability as a linguist and philosopher,
publishing on general Natural History, Botany, Evolution, Folklore, Mysticism and poetry.
He translated (for the first time directly from Finnish, as opposed to from another language)
the Finnish epic, Kalevala the Land of Heroes into English in 1907. He had a working
knowledge of Finnish, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish,
and Swedish (Kirby, 1912).
Kirby died on 20 th November 1912 in Chiswick, after a short illness and is buried in
Chiswick Cemetery. An obituary written by his son (Kirby, 1912) reveals that he was
considered a kind, modest, humorous and thoughtful man whose “never tiring assistance to all
who required help or counsel endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances”.
Phasmid works
Kirby produced 19 publications dealing with phasmids, although that includes his
Elementary Text-book of Entomology that only deals with the order in general terms but does
illustrate two species (Kirby, 1885, plates 21 & 22). Kirby published 22 new genera and 70
species; these are listed below with references to the page number, and plate number for those
that were illustrated.
It was rare for Kirby’s species to be illustrated, only nine species were illustrated when
they were described. This could be due to the cost of hiring an illustrator; Kirby did not do
any of the illustrations in his phasmid papers. The illustrators of Kirby’s publications were:
1884 (M. Hornman-Fisher), 1885 (not indicated) 1896a (J. Green), 1896c (F.H. Michael),
1900 (M. Hornman-Fisher), 1902b (Howard Knight). Although not illustrated at the time it
was originally described, Clitumnus stilpnoides Kirby, 1888 was illustrated in Kirby’s 1900
paper (as figure 2.1).
On some new or rare Phasmidae in the collection of the British Museum (Kirby, 1896c)
is Kirby’s most interesting paper in several respects. The introduction gives an overview of
phasmid collecting which still rings true today: it is still annoying when specimens are
decolourised by collectors putting them in alcohol, they are difficult to collect, and they are
still little studied. Kirby reports the phasmid collection as filling 120 cabinet drawers “but
will soon require to be extended”; the collection is currently being rearranged, when this is
complete it will occupy about 500 drawers (Judith Marshall, pers. com., 2006). Kirby
referred to the first species described in the paper as Pharnacia seratipes (Gray, 1835) but
expressed doubt about the identity. It was later recognised as a distinct species and renamed
Phobaeticus kirbyi Brunner, 1907. The species, from Borneo, was the largest known phasmid
at that time, and is still the largest recorded phasmid, although the description of a longer
species, also from Borneo, is currently awaiting publication. Kirby’s paper describes two
species in the genus “ Hermogenes Stal, 1875”, in fact this is an error (either by Kirby or
perhaps by the printer misreading Kirby’s handwriting), the name of the genus should be
Hermagoras Stal, 1875; Kirby corrected this in his catalogue of 1904. These two species, H.
hosei and H. cristatus , which Kirby said were “Allied” were found to be the same exactly 100
years after they were first described (Bragg, 1996: 38).
His largest publication on phasmids was in volume one of his Synonymic Catalogue of
Orthoptera (1904c). Pages 317-423 deal with the phasmids and give a complete list of all
known references to phasmids. The eight new species names in his catalogue were shown as
replacement names using the standard abbreviation n.n. (nomen novum) which nowadays
denotes the replacement of a preoccupied name. However, these are actually new species, not
replacement names in the accepted sense, because Kirby was giving a new name to specific
material that had been misidentified by other authors. In several of these cases he indicated
that there were specimens in BMNH so these specimens are syntypes because they were
included in the new species designation (IZCN, 1999: Article 72.4). Similarly, of the four
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 1 ): 6
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Biographies of Phasmatologists - 4. William Forsell Kirby
genera marked n.n. in this book, only Didymuria was a true replacement name (for the
preoccupied Diura Gray, 1833), the others were new genera. The 1904 catalogue is important
because it designates the type species for quite a few genera. Kirby’s first publication that
looked at identifying the type species had been published 14 years earlier (Kirby, 1890) but
only dealt with genera described prior to 1840.
Trans Link. Soc. Zool. Sefl 2, VolVI PI. 40.
FH Michael, adum dd.etkb Wert,Newjjuin imp
NEW AND RARE P HAS MIDjE
Figure 2. Plate 40 from Kirby’s largest phasmid paper of 1896 (Kirby, 1896c).
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 7
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P.E. Bragg
In 1910 Kirby published the third volume of his Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera
and included one page (p. 569) of corrections to the phasmids. The 1910 volume also
includes two interesting notes in Kirby’s introduction: “It had been intended to add an
Appendix bringing the Catalogue up to date; but this was found to be impracticable, except as
regards the third volume; for a Catalogue so largely facilitates work on the groups of which it
treats, that it speedily grows out of date, and in many groups treated of in Vols. I. and II. the
amount of recent changes and additions has been so large that nothing short of re-editing
whole families would be satisfactory.” (1910: v) and “Phasmidae. A great monograph on
this family has been published by Brunner von Wattenwyl and J. Redtenbacher, Die
Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden , which supersedes everything previously published on this
group.”
Alphabetical list of phasmid genera described by Kirby
Abrachia
.... 1889a: 503.
Orthomeria
1904c: 420.
Acanthomima
.... 1904b: 438.
Orthonecroscia
1904b: 436.
Bactricia
.... 1896c: 463.
Phaenopharos
1904b: 433.
Bathycharax
.... 1896a: 259.
Phasgania
1896c: 461.
Chondrostethus
.... 1896c: 455.
Presbistus
1896c: 475.
Didymuria
.... 1904c: 381.
Pseudophasma
1896c: 474.
Enetia
.... 1891: 151.
Staelonchodes
1904a: 372.
Greenia
.... 1896c: 456.
Tersomia
1904a: 431.
Haaniella
.... 1904b: 444.
Trigonophasma
1904b: 436.
Hemipachymorpha
.... 1904c: 341.
Vasilissa
1896c: 468.
Macracantha
.... 1904c: 340.
Xenomaches
1896c: 470.
Lists of Kirby’s 70 species grouped alphabetically within each year
1884
mode rata (Necroscia)
.... 1884:477, fig, p. 478.
1888
stilpnoides ( Clitumnus )
.... 1888: 547.
longiceps ( Pseudobacteria ) 1889a: 503.
brevicornis ( Abrachia )
.... 1889a: 504.
saussurii (Diapheromera) 1889a: 501.
crassus ( Pterinoxylus )
.... 1889a: 502.
spinosus ( Promachus ).
1889b: 230.
insularis (Promachus)
.... 1889b: 231.
1891
spinosissima ( Enetia )
.... 1891: 151.
1896
albopunctatum (Ctenomorpha). 1896c: 472.
moirae (Palophus)
1896b: 463.
australis (Heteropteryx)
.... 1896c: 472.
nigropunctatus ( Lonchodes ) .
1896c: 453.
batesii (Lonchodes)
.... 1896c: 452.
phillipsi ( Ischnopoda )
1896c: 467, pi. 40.3.
batesii ( Megacrania )
.... 1896c: 471.
sodalis ( Dixippus )
1896c: 459.
bogotensis (Stratocles)
.... 1896c: 474.
sordidus ( Promachus )
1896c: 463, pi. 40.4
catori ( Lonchodes )
.... 1896c: 454.
spinosissima (Caulonia)
1896c: 464, pi. 40.5.
cornutus (Dixippus)
.... 1896c: 459.
stali (Arrhidaeus)
1896c: 471.
cristatus (Hermogenes)
.... 1896c: 457.
tuberculata (Sthenobaea)
1896c: 462.
episcopalis (Ischnopoda)
.... 1896c: 466.
virgatus ( Lonchodes )
1896c: 452.
everetti (Phasgania)
.... 1896c: 461, pi. 40.2.
walkeri ( Vasilissa )
1896c: 469.
granulatus ( Bathycharax )
.... 1896a: 259, pi. 12.9.
whiteheadi ( Lonchodes )
1896c: 451.
hosei ( Hermogenes )
.... 1896c: 457, pi. 40.1.
woodfordi ( Chondrostethus ) .
1896c: 455, pi. 39.1
insularis ( Dixippus )
.... 1896c: 460.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 8
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 4. William Forsell Kirby
1902
aculiferum ( Bactrododema ) ....
. 1902b: 47, pi. 2. 1-2.2.
carinatus (Hyrtacus)
. 1902b: 46, pi. 2.3-2.4.
1904
appendiculata (Ignacia)
. 1904 b: 446.
bicolor (Promachus ?)
. 1904a: 377.
brasiliensis (Tersomia)
. 1904b: 431.
brunneri ( Necroscia )
. 1904c: 376.
cambridgei (Pseudophasma)...
. 1904b: 448.
gracillimus ( Staelonchodes). ...
. 1904a: 373.
haanii (Necroscia)
. 1904c: 376.
horsfieldii (Necroscia)
. 1904c: 376.
inca (Pseudophasma)
. 1904b: 447.
iridescens (Olcyphides)
. 1904 b: 445.
janus ( Prexaspes )
. 1904c: 415.
laetus (Promachus)
. 1904a: 375.
lamellatus (Oxyartes)
. 1904a: 374.
maculata ( Calvisia)
. 1904b: 435.
magnifica (Eury enema)
. 1904b: 439.
malaccensis (Agondasoidea)...
..1904c: 373.
1905
alldridgei (Palophus)
. 1905: 279.
Bathycharax granulatus Kirby,
1896b, plate 12, figure 9.
lugardi (Bactrododema) 1902a: 448.
wayi ( Bactrododema ) 1902a: 449.
paradoxa (Acanthoclonia ?).... 1904b: 444.
peninsularis (Sosibia) 1904b; 434.
portentosa (Eurycantha) 1904b: 442.
pulcherrima (Orthonecroscia) . 1904b: 436.
ridleyi ( Bactricia ) 1904b: 429.
ridleyi ( Presbistus ) 1 904c : 4 1 9 .
ruficeps ( Orthonecroscia ) 1904b: 437.
saussurei (Haaniella) 1904c: 397.
sifia ( Eurycantha ) 1904b: 443.
spuria ( Eubulides ) 1 904b : 44 1 .
tonquinensis (Necroscia) 1904b: 437.
viridis (Lonchodes ?) 1904a: 373.
viridissima (Eury enema) 1904b: 440.
westwoodi (Necroscia) 1904c: 376.
willeyi ( Eurycantha ) 1904b: 442.
Figure 4.
Necroscia moderata Kirby, 1884, page 478.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 9
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Berit Pederson (RESL librarian) for finding photographs of Kirby, and for
checking details of some publications.
References
Bragg, P.E. (1996) Redescriptions, synonyms, and distribution of two species of Lonchodinae from Borneo:
Lonchodes catori Kirby and Lonchodes hosei (Kirby). Phasmid Studies , 5(1): 32-45.
ICZN - International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1999) International Code of Zoological
Nomenclature, Fourth Edition. International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, London.
Kirby, W. E. (1912) Obituary. William Forsell Kirby. Entomologist's Record , 24: 314-317.
Kirby, W.F. (1884) On the Orthoptera collected during the recent expedition of H.M.S. 'Challenger'. Annals and
magazine of natural History, (5)13: 476-479.
Kirby, W.F. (1885) Elementary Text-book of Entomology. W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co. Paternoster Square.
London. 413 pages [with phasmids on plates 21 & 22],
Kirby, W.F. (1888) On the insects (exclusive of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera) of Christmas Island. Proceedings
of the Zoological Society of London, 1888: 546-555.
Kirby, W.F. (1889a) Descriptions of new species of Phasmidae from Dominica, Santa Lucia and Brazil
(Theresopolis), in the collection of the British Museum. Annals and magazine of natural History, (6)3: 501-504.
Kirby, W.F. (1889b) Notes on the species of Phasmidae collected by Basil Thomson, Esq., in the Louisiade
Archipelago. Annals and magazine of natural History , (6)4: 229-231.
Kirby, W.F. (1890) On the employment of the names of proposed for genera of Orthoptera, previous to 1840.
Scientific Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society , 6: 556-597.
Kirby, W.F. (1891) On the Phasmidae of Madagascar, with the description of a new genus and species in the
collection of the British Museum. Annals and magazine of natural History , (6)8: 150-152.
Kirby, W.F. (1895) On the insects other than Coleoptera obtained by Dr. Anderson's collector during Mr. T. Bent's
expedition to the Hadramaut, South Arabia. Journal of the Linnean Society (Zoology), London, 25: 279-281 .
Kirby, W.F. (1896a) A list of the Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera collected by Miss Kingsley on the river
Ogove, with descriptions of some new genera and species. Annals and magazine of natural History , (6)18:
257-269, pi. 12.
Kirby, W.F. (1896b) Description of a new species of stick-insect from British Central Africa. Annals and magazine
of natural History , (6)18: 463-464.
Kirby, W.F. (1896c) On some new or rare Phasmidae in the collection of the British Museum. Transactions of the
Linnean Society of London, (2)6: 447-475, pi. 39 & 40.
Kirby, W.F. (1900) Order 9. Orthoptera. in Andrews, C.W. et. al. (1900) A Monograph of Christmas Island
( Indian Ocean): Physical Features and Geology by C.W. Andrews, B.A., B.Sc., F.G.S., with descriptions of the Fauna
and Flora by numerous contributors. British Museum, London.
Kirby, W.F. (1902a) Descriptions of two new species of Bactrododema (Phasmidae) in the collection of the British
Museum (Natural History). Annals and magazine of natural History, (7)9: 448-449.
Kirby, W.F. (1902b) Phasmidae. in Distant, W.L.: Insecta Transvaaliensia. A contribution to the knowledge of the
Entomology of South Africa. Part 1. Orthoptera. pages 42-48, pi. 2. H L Distant, London.
Kirby, W.F. (1904a) Notes on Phasmidae in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History), South
Kensington, with descriptions of new species. - No. I. Annals and magazine of natural History, (7)13: 372-377.
Kirby, W.F. (1904b) Notes on Phasmidae in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History), South
Kensington, with descriptions of new genera and species - No. II. Annals and magazine of natural History, (7)13:
429-449.
Kirby, W.F. (1904c) A synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera, volume 1. British Museum, London.
Kirby, W.F. (1905) Description of a new species of Palophus (Phasmidae) from West Africa. Annales and
magazine of natural History, (7)15: 279-281.
Kirby, W.F. (1910) A synonymic catalogue of Orthoptera, volume 3. British Museum, London.
Kirby (1885) Elementary Text-book of Entomology is available online at:
http://www.scientiadigital.com/zoologia/KirbyZoo/pagl .shtml (With phasmids on plates 21 & 22 )
Erratum [Issued in Phasmid Studies 16(2): 56] — The following reference was omitted:
Kirby, W.F. (1910) An undetermined species of stick- insect found in Devonshire. Zoologist, (4)14: 197-198.
This paper is the first record of a phasmid living in Britain.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 10
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
A description of the male and egg of Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865)
(Diapheromeridae: Necrosciinae).
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Abstract
Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865) was described from a single female from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It is here
recorded from three localities in India, and the male and egg are described and illustrated for the first time.
Key words
Phasmida, India, Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1 865), description of male, description of egg
Introduction
Manchester Museum (MMUE) had a large number of phasmids in paper packets that had
been collected in the 1950s. I examined and set a few of the smaller specimens in the 1990s
but remainder stayed in their packets until they were set by Dr Yvonne Goulding in early
2006. I identified some of these specimens in 2006 as Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865).
A pair of specimens were taken to Oxford Museum (OXUM) and compared with the female
holotype.
Necroscia acutipennis Bates, 1865 was described from a single female specimen from
Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) and had not been recorded from elsewhere until I (Bragg,
2007) briefly mentioned material from Southern India. The male and egg of this species have
not been described. Below I give the data for the Indian specimens and describe the male and
egg of this species.
When Bates described the species
he said “The wings are produced and acute
at the apex.” and gave it the specific name,
acutipennis - meaning “pointed wings”.
However, this is misleading because,
contrary to the description, wings are not
pointed. The wings of the holotype are not
fully spread, which gives a pointed
appearance to the tip of the wing; when the
wings of this species are fully opened they
have a normal appearance.
The material recorded here is from
the two southernmost states of India: Tamil
Nadu and Kerala. The approximate
latitude and longitude of these sites are
given in table 1 and localities are plotted
on the distribution map in red (figure 1).
Table 1. Distribution of Sipyloidea acutipennis within India.
State
Locality
Latitude & longitude
Kerala
Ponmudi Range
N08° 30’ E77° 00’
Tamil Nadu
Cinchona, Anamalai Hills
N10° 20’ E77° 00’
Tamil Nadu
Devla, Nilgiri Hills
Nil 0 30’ E76° 30’
The generic position of this species in uncertain. Redtenbacher (1908: 550) placed the
species in the genus Sipyloidea Brunner, 1893. However, cultured specimens of the type
species, Sipyloidea sipylus (Westwood, 1859), glue their eggs to a substrate, this is not the
case for many of the other 57 species that Redtenbacher placed in the genus. Eggs removed
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 11.
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
from the body of Sipyloidea acutipennis do not seem to have a flattened ventral surface,
which would be expected of eggs which are glued to a substrate, but they are not in perfect
condition so this mode of laying cannot be ruled out.
Sipyloidea acutipennis Bates, 1865
Necroscia acutipennis Bates, 1865: 354, pi. 45.5; Kirby, 1904: 375; Bragg, 2007: 4. Holotype
$ (OXUM) Ceylon, coll. Nietner.
Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates); Redtenbacher, 1908: 550; Otte & Brock, 2005: 316.
Material
South India, Kerala State, Trivandrum Dt., Ponmudi Range, 3,000ft, v.1972, TRS Nathan.
8 (MMUE F3224.60)
South India, Anamalai Hills, 3500ft, iv.1965, P.S. Nathan.
8 (MMUE F3224.82), $ (MMUE F3224.88), ? (MMUE F3224.279)
South India, Anamalai Hills, Cinchona, 3500ft., v. 1960, P.S. Nathan.
9 (MMUE F3224.368), $ (MMUE F3224.280), 8 (MMUE F3224.278).
South India, Nilgiri Hills, Devala, 3200ft., x. 1960, P.S. Nathan.
8 (MMUE F3224.358), $ (MMUE F3224.359), $ (MMUE F3224.360)
Descriptions and measurements
The following descriptions are based only on specimens F3224.280 and F3224.278.
Male (figs 2-4 & 6)
Head and body green with two longitudinal stripes on each side: one black, one white; the part of
the abdomen that is covered by the wings is brownish. Legs green. Eyes brown. Viewed
laterally, the male is green with a black and a white stripe running most of the length of the insect.
There is a white stripe running from the back of each eye to the back of the head. The lateral
margins of the mesonotum have a thin black line and there is a broader white stripe above this.
The pronotum has some black on the lateral margins as do abdominal segments 7-9. Fore wings
green with a central longitudinal white stripe, the anterior half of the stripe has a narrow black
stripe on each side. The costal region of the hindwing has a green leading edge, followed by a
black stripe, white stripe, green stripe and then a brown stripe. Anal region clear or slightly
pinkish, with greenish veins. Measurements are given in table 2.
Figures 2-4. Abdomen of male.
2. Lateral view.
3. Dorsal view.
4. Ventral view.
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 1 ): 12
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1 865)
Head and body smooth, without any granules or tubercules; mesothorax with a very fine
median longitudinal carina. Head and body extremely sparingly setose except abdominal sternites
7-9 which are moderately setose, and metanotum and abdominal terga 1-6 which lack setae.
Antennae slender, clearly longer than the fore legs. Width of head (excluding eyes) about 5/6 of
the length; eyes protruding laterally. Pronotum about 1.6 times longer than wide. Mesonotum
slightly narrowing behind anterior margin, then widening evenly, posterior margin about 1.4 times
width of anterior margin; length about five times width of posterior margin. Metanotum and
abdominal segments 1-6 of about equal length (3-5 only very slightly longer), segment 7 is two-
thirds as long as 6 th , segments 8-9 half as long as 6th, segment 10 about one third as long as 6 th .
Tenth abdominal tergite with a notch, 11th forming a triangular protrusion. Poculum fairly
shallow, with a minute apical notch. Cerci prominent, almost cylindrical, slightly tapering and
strongly incurving near the apices.
\
5
Figures 5-6. Sipyloidea acutipennis ( Bates, 1865).
5. Female. 6. Male.
lcm
V 1
6
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 13
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
Legs without spines (although some ventro-lateral carinae of the femora terminate as
minute points); carinae densely setose, particularly on ventral carinae, setae reduced in
number and size on dorsal surface of hind femora. Fore tibia and fore femur of almost equal
length, mid and hind tibiae slightly shorter than corresponding femora. Each leg with tarsus
about half as long as femur. Fore legs with basal tarsomere about as long as combined length
of tarsomeres 2-5; mid and hind legs with basal tarsomere clearly shorter than combined
length of 2-5. Forewings reaching end of metanotum, with a small conical hump. Wings
reaching to apex of 6th abdominal segment.
Female (fig 6)
Coloration generally similar to male but the stripes on the body are indistinct, and almost
absent on the mesothorax. Forewings green with a central longitudinal white stripe, the
anterior half of the stripe has a narrow black stripe on each side. Hind wings with subcostal
and costal areas green, cubital and plical areas brown; anal region clear or slightly pinkish,
with greenish veins. Measurements are given in table 2.
Head and pronotum as in male. Mesonotum widening slightly and evenly; length about
four times the width of the posterior margin. Metanotum and abdominal segments 1-6 of
roughly similar lengths; segments 7 & 8 each about two thirds as long as 5 th ; segments 9 & 10
each about half as long as 7 th . Lamina supraanalis triangular. Operculum tapering to a point,
reaching almost to apex of 10th tergite. Cerci long, slender, straight, narrowing evenly to a
point. Legs similar to male except all tibiae are slightly shorter than the corresponding femur.
Wings reaching slightly beyond apex of 6th segment.
Table 2. Sipyloid
ea acutipenm
■$
s (Bates, 18(
2
5). Measuremen
ts in mm.
c?
2
Bodv length
51
75
Lore femur
16.1
20.1
Antennae
51
53+
Lore tibia
16.3
18.7
Head
2.3
3.9
Fore tarsus
8.1
9.0
Pronotum
2.4
3.5
Mid femur
11.6
13.1
Mesonotum
11.7
Mid tibia
10.5
10.6
Metanotum
3.1
5.3
Mid tarsus
5.5
6.1
Median segment
4.4
6.5
Hind femur
15.7
17.9
3.7
7.1
Hind tibia
14.8
15.8
Hind wing
29
45
Hind tarsus
7.7
7.5
Egg (figs 7-8)
Three eggs were removed from the body of specimen L3224.280. The eggs were full sized
but the surface detail appears to be poorly developed and lacking any pigmentation. Capsule
cylindrical, length 2.3mm, width 1.2mm, height 1.3mm. Micropylar plate oval and positioned
slightly towards the polar end. Operculum slightly convex; oval, slightly higher than wide
(0.85mm x 0.72mm).
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 1 ): 14
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1 865)
Figures 7-8. Egg of Sipyloidea acutipennis (Bates, 1865)
7. Dorsal view. 8. Lateral view.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Dr Dmitri Logunov (MMUE) for the loan of specimens and to Dr Yvonne
Goulding for checking the data.
References
Bragg, P.E. (2007) Biographies of Phasmatologists - 1. Henry Walter Bates. Phasmid Studies, 15(1 &2): 1-4.
Bates, H.W. (1865) Descriptions of fifty-two new species of Phasmidae from the collection of Mr. W. Wilson Saunders,
with remarks on the family. Transactions of the Linnaean Society of London, 25(1) 321-359 & plates 44-45.
Kirby, W.F. (1904) A synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. 1. British Museum, London.
Otte, D. & Brock, P. (2005) Phasmida Species File, Catalog of Stick and Leaf Insects of the World. Insect
Diversity Association, Philadelphia.
Redtenbacher, J. (1908) Die Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Vol. 3. Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig.
An Introduction to
Rearing Cockroaches
ISBN 0-9531195-1-3. Published 1997.
A5, softback, 16 pages, 14 figs.
This book is intended as a beginners’ guide to
rearing cockroaches. It is illustrated with 14
black and white drawings. The drawings
illustrate eight different species and show how
to distinguish the sexes.
There is a general introduction to
cockroaches with information on the structure
and different types. The commonly available
species are grouped according to their general
type and their suitability for culturing. Cages,
feeding and preserving are all discussed.
There are suggestions on obtaining and
distributing cockroaches, and there is a list of
books offering further information.
Available from:
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottingham, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Price £2.50 plus postage & packing.
Postage & packing: U.K. = 30p; Europe = £1.00; Worldwide = £1.50.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 15
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Reviews and Abstracts.
Book Review
Stabschrecken - Carausius, Sipyloidea & Co. by Ingo Fritzsche.
Softback, 21cm x 15 cm, 64 pages, 43 colour photographs and
2 line drawings. Published by Natur und Tier - Verlag GmbH,
Munster. Price €9.80. ISBN 978-3-937285-84-9.
Reviewed by P.E. Bragg.
A very good quality beginners’ guide to rearing phasmids
with some excellent photographs. The German text follows the
usual format used in beginners’ guides: general introduction,
basic anatomy, egg structure, cages, general care, foodplants,
and then a more detailed account of a few species. The section
on where to obtain phasmids is followed by slightly more
unusual sections on transporting phasmids and quarantine. The
book is well illustrated, with almost one colour photograph on
each page except in the species detail section. The photographs
are an interesting selection, including a variety of cages, egg
containers, a mixture of eggs and droppings, and an unusual
shot of a phasmid gluing its eggs to a plant stem; even the posed pictures of phasmids standing on
leaves have a variety of backgrounds.
The final section of the book covers eleven species in detail. For each species the PSG
number is given in addition to the genus, species, author and date. It is nice to see that the choice
of species in this section is not the same as in most books of this type. The author has managed
to select species that are suitable for beginners and yet has included several with a very personal
link. Several of these eleven species were collected by the author, one was described by the
author, and one is named after the author. Some of the photographs in this section are rather
small but this is a minor drawback as all are featured in larger illustrations elsewhere in the book.
There are many beginners’ guides on the market in various languages. This one stands out
because of the high quality of the production, good lay out, and the wide variety of photographic
styles used. A “must buy” for any German readers with an interest in phasmids.
Phasmid Abstracts
The following abstracts briefly summarise articles that have recently appeared in other
publications. Some of these may be available from local libraries. Others will be available in
university or college libraries, many of these libraries allow non-members to use their facilities
for reference purposes free of charge.
The editor of Phasmid Studies would welcome recent abstracts from authors so that they may be
included in forthcoming issues. In the case of publications specialising in phasmids, such as
Phasma , only the longer papers are summarised.
Bradler, S., Whiting, M.F. & Klug, R. (2003) Basal diversification and the evolution of wings
within stick insects (Phasmatodea). Proceedings of 1 st Dresden meeting on insect phylogeny.
Entomologische Abhandlungen, 61(2): 132-133.
Alternative hypotheses for the splitting of Phasmatodea are discussed.
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 16
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid Abstracts
Bragg, P.E. (2007) Biografie van een Phasmatoloog: Hermann Burmeister. Phasma, 17(64): 18-
20. [In Dutch].
Karl Hermann Konrad Burmeister was a German zoologist and entomologist. His life
and phasmid work are outlined. Although he published over 75 entomological papers, only
Handbuch de Entomology (1838) included any work on phasmids. Burmeister’ s phasmid
work was limited but important in historical terms. He described one new genus, renamed a
second, and described 32 new species: a significant number at that time.
Brassed J. (2007) Species report No. 6: PSG 277 Phobaeticus heusii (Hennemann & Conle,
1997) psg 277, een mooie grote wandelende tak uit Vietnam. Phasma, 17(64): 8-9 (& 12). [In
Dutch].
A report on rearing PSG 277, Phobaeticus heusii (Hennemann & Conle, 1997), a large
phasmid from Vietnam, remarkable for its large males. The author describes the breeding
conditions and the origin of the culture. A colour photograph appears on page 12.
Gottardo, M. (2007) First record of the genus Dinophasma Uvarov from the Philippines
(Phasmatodea: Aschiphasmatidae).
Dinophasma maalon n.sp. is described from a single male from Panay Island in the
Philippines. The species is similar to Dinophasma braggi (Zompro, 1994).
Jansen, E. (2007) De meelmot, een prachtig insect met grote gevolgen. Phasma, 17(64): 16-17
(& 12). [In Dutch].
The Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis Linneaus, 1758) is a worldwide agricultural pest species.
The larvae are white with black heads and feed on stored cereals such as oats and flour. The
larvae make silk, which they spin to form tubes in which they live. This pest species can also
have an adverse effect on phasmids. If the moth larvae lay down tubes near phasmid eggs, the
eggs can become encased by the silken threads, preventing the phasmid nymphs from emerging.
A colour photograph appears on page 12.
Jansen, E. (2007) De verschillen tussen Eurycantha calarata (Lucas, 1872) en Eurycantha
calcarata sp. (Lucas, 1869). Phasma, 17(65): 7-10. [In Dutch].
The article compares two phasmid cultures PSG 23 and PSG 44: the two cultures of
Eurycantha calcarata Lucas, 1869. The article is based largely on articles that were originally
published in PSG Newsletters 8, 9, 10, 30 & 37.
Klug, R. & Bradler, S. (2006) The pregenital abdominal musculature in phasmids and its
implications for the basal phylogeny of Phasmatodea (Insecta: Polyneoptera). Organisms,
Diversity & Evolution, 6: 171-184.
Recently several conflicting hypotheses concerning the basal phylogenetic
relationships within the Phasmatodea (stick and leaf insects) have emerged. In previous
studies, musculature of the abdomen proved to be quite informative for identifying basal
taxa among Phasmatodea and led to conclusions regarding the basal splitting events within
the group. However, this character complex was not studied thoroughly for a representative
number of species, and usually muscle innervation was omitted. In the present study the
musculature and nerve topography of mid-abdominal segments in both sexes of seven
phasmid species are described and compared in detail for the first time including all
putative basal taxa, e.g. members of Timema, Agathemera, Phylliinae, Aschiphasmatinae
and Heteropteryginae. The ground pattern of the muscle and nerve arrangement of mid-
abdominal segments, i.e. of those not modified due to association with the thorax or
Phasmid Studies, 16(1): 17
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid Abstracts
genitalia, is reconstructed. In Timema, the inner ventral longitudinal muscles are present,
whereas they are lost in all remaining Phasmatodea (Euphasmatodea). The ventral
longitudinal muscles in the abdomen of Agathemera, which span the whole length of each
segment, do not represent the plesiomorphic condition as previously assumed, but might be
a result of secondary elongation of the external ventral longitudinal muscles. Sexual
dimorphism, common within the Phasmatodea, also applies to the muscle arrangement in
the abdomen of some species. Only in the females of Haaniella dehaanii
(Heteropteryginae) and Phyllium celebicum (Phylliinae) the ventral external longitudinal
muscles are elongated and span the length of the whole segment, possibly as a result of
convergent evolution.
La Brijn, R. (2007) Remus en Romulus = “Duplo”, de tweekoppige Carausius morosus.
Phasma, 17(64): 13-15. [In Dutch].
In 1963 a two-headed Carausius morosus hatched in the Dutch zoo Artis. The discusses the
specimen. Two photographs are included, one showing the specimen shedding its skin.
La Brijn, R. (2007) Remus en Romulus = “Duplo”, de tweekoppige Carausius morosus (deel 2).
Phasma, 17(65): 23-25. [In Dutch].
Part two of an article on a two-headed Carausius morosus hatched in the Dutch zoo Artis in
1963.
Rabaey, K. (2007) Species report No. 6. Carausius morosus (Sinety, 1899). Phasma, 17(65):
18. [In Dutch].
A brief report on Carausius morosus (Sinety, 1901).
Rabaey, K. & Simoens, R. (2007) Species report No. 5: Diapherodes venustula (Audinet-
Serville, 1838) een nieuwe soort in kweek afkomstig uit Cuba. Phasma, 17(64): 6-7 (& 12). [In
Dutch].
A report on rearing Diapherodes venustula (Audinet-Serville, 1838), a culture collected by
Ingo Fritzsche in Cuba during 2005. Two colour photographs appear on page 12.
Rabaey, K. & Simoens, R. (2007) Species report No. 7. PSG 81 : Acanthoxyla inermis (Salmon,
1955) New Zealand and UK. Phasma, 17(64): 10-1 1 (& 12). [In Dutch].
Tim Bollens and Stijn Bauwens went to Truro in Cornwall and found Acanthoxyla inermis
Salmon, 1955 in the wild. This article gives some of the history of the species in the UK. A colour
photograph appears on page 12.
Wedmann, S., Bradler, S. & Rust, J. (2007) Het eerste fossiele wandelend blad: 47 miljoen jaar
van gespecialiseerd gedrag en camouflage morfologie. Phasma, 17(65): 11-16. [In Dutch].
A Dutch translation, by Rob Simoens and Kristien Rabaey, of the authors’ 2006 paper “The
first fossil leaf insect: 47 million years of specialised cryptic morphology and behavior”, originally
published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 104: 565-569. [See Phasmid Studies
15: 31 for abstract].
Zompro, O. (2007) Revision of Oncotophasma Rehn (Insecta: Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae).
Stuttgarter Beitrdge zur Naturkunde, Serie A (Biologie), 703: 1-25.
The Central American genus Oncotophasma Rehn, 1904 (= Paradiapheromera Brunner von
Wattenwyl, 1907) (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerinae: Diapheromerini) is revised.
The genus contains eight species, of which three are described for the first time: Oncotophasma
limonese n.sp., O. maculosum n.sp. and O. weitschati n.sp. Listings of museum material and keys to
species are included.
Phasmid Studies, 16( 1 ): 18
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 5. Carl Linnaeus.
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Abstract
Carl Linnaeus is best known for his system of grouping and naming plants and animals that, in a modified form,
is still in use today. Although he did little work on phasmids, his work is significant because he created the first
scientific names of phasmids. His life and phasmid work is outlined.
Keywords
Phasmida, Phasmatologist, Carolus Linnaeus, Carl von Linne, Carl Linnaeus, Biography.
Introduction
Linnaeus was not really a phasmatologist, he described 4 species, and did not recognise them
as a distinct group - they were not distinguished from the praying mantids. However, he is
viewed as the founder of the system of biological nomenclature - the international system for
naming animals and plants. Linnaeus was the first person to describe any phasmids under this
system; this means that it could be argued that in 1758 he was the only phasmatologist in the
world! Since 2007 is the 300 th anniversary of his birth it seemed appropriate to include him
in the series Biographies of Phasmatologists.
As the founder of our system for naming organisms, it is somewhat ironic that there is
often confusion over his name. When he was born, in Sweden, surnames were not in common
use, so he was just known as Carl. When he needed a surname at university he adopted the
surname Linnaeus; he chose a Latin name because this was the international language of
Science at that time. He subsequently Latinised his forename from Carl to Carolus for
publishing his work. In later life he was granted nobility and became known as Carl von
Linne.
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)
Carl was born on May 23 rd 1707, at Stenbrohult,
in the province of Smaland in southern Sweden.
His father, Nils Ingemarsson, was both an avid
gardener and a Lutheran pastor, and Carl showed
a deep love of plants and a fascination with their
names from a very early age. Carl showed no
desire to follow in his father’s footsteps by
training for the priesthood, but his family was
somewhat consoled when Linnaeus entered the
University of Lund in 1727 to study medicine. A
year later, he transferred to the prestigious
University of Uppsala. However, its medical
facilities had been neglected and most of
Linnaeus's time at Uppsala was spent collecting
and studying plants, his true love. At the time,
training in botany was part of the medical
curriculum, for every doctor had to prepare and
prescribe drugs derived from medicinal plants.
Despite financial difficulties, Linnaeus mounted a botanical and ethnographical expedition to
Lapland in 1731, followed by one to central Sweden in 1734.
In 1735 Linnaeus went to the Netherlands to finish his medical degree at the University
of Harderwijk; he then enrolled in the University of Leiden for further studies. In the same
year he published the first edition of his classification of living things, the Systema Naturae.
He met or corresponded with many of Europe's leading botanists, and continued to develop
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 19
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P.E. Bragg
his classification scheme. Linnaeus continually revised his Systema Naturae , which grew
from a slim pamphlet to a multivolume work, as his concepts were modified and as more and
more plant and animal specimens were sent to him from every corner of the globe.
Returning to Sweden in 1738, he practiced medicine (specializing in the treatment of
syphilis) and lectured in Stockholm. In September 1739 he married Sara Elisabeth Morea.
They had seven children, Carl, Elisabeth, Sara Magdalena, Lovisa, Sara Christina, Johannes,
Sophie; only five survived to adult. In 1741 he was awarded a professorship at Uppsala
University. At Uppsala he restored the University's botanical garden, arranging the plants
according to his system of classification. He made three more expeditions to various parts of
Sweden and appears to have inspired many of his students. Linnaeus arranged for a number
of his students to take part in exploration voyages to all parts of the world. Perhaps his most
famous student, Daniel Solander, was the naturalist on Captain James Cook's first round-the-
world voyage and brought back the first plant collections from Australia and the South
Pacific. Another of his students, Carl Peter Thunberg, described eleven phasmids after the
death of Linnaeus, one in 1784 and ten in 1815.
Uppsala Astronomical Observatory was founded by Anders Celsius in the same year
that Linnaeus became a professor. The year after Celsius died, Linnaeus reversed the
numbering of the temperature scale that Celsius had invented, giving us the scale that we use
today (The original Celsius scale had water boiling at 0° and freezing at 100°).
Linnaeus was keen to make the Swedish economy more self-sufficient and less
dependent on foreign trade, either by acclimatising crops to grow in Sweden, or by finding
native substitutes. Sadly, Sweden's cold climate made his attempts to grow cacao, coffee, tea,
bananas, rice, and mulberries unsuccessful. His attempts to find native Swedish plants that
could be used as tea, coffee, flour, and animal fodder were also not very successful.
Linnaeus continued to practice medicine and eventually became personal physician to
the Swedish royal family. In 1758 he bought the manor estate of Hammarby, outside
Uppsala, where he built a small museum for his extensive personal collections. In 1761 he
was granted nobility, and became Carl von Linne. In 1774 he suffered what was probably a
series of mild strokes and remained in poor health until he died on January 10 th 1778.
His only surviving son, also called Carl, succeeded his father as a professor at Uppsala
University and inherited his personal collections. When he died five years later his father’s
library, manuscripts, and natural history collections were sold to the English natural historian
Sir James Edward Smith. Much of the material that Linnaeus used in his work belonged to
the University and this material is still housed in the Uppsala University Museum.
The Linnaeus legacy
The first edition of Systema Naturae was printed in the Netherlands in 1735; it was eleven
pages long. Linnaeus continued to expand this work and produced several editions over the
years; figure 2 (opposite) shows the title page of volume one of the 10 th edition in 1758.
Linnaeus did not invent the classification system, or binomial nomenclature on his own.
However, he developed existing systems and was the first person to use them consistently
throughout what became a comprehensive publication. His work became the standard for
taxonomy (grouping organisms) and nomenclature (naming species).
Present day taxonomy is still based on his ideas, although, because ideas of how
animals should be grouped change as new evidence is found, the Linnaeus system has had to
undergo huge changes. To put things in context, there are now more families known than
there were species in Linnaeus’ time. The system has many more hierarchical levels than
Linnaeus used, but the basic principles are the same.
Present day nomenclature has changed very little from Linnaeus’ system. It is based on
a binomial system: each species is given a generic name and specific name which have to
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 20
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Biographies of Phasmatologists - 5. Carl Linnaeus
follow the rules of Latin grammar; the combination of these names is unique to that particular
type of animal. The explosion of new species being discovered in the 19 th Century resulted in
confusion as new names created by different people in different countries. It soon became
clear that some form of regulation was essential to deal with problems such as different
people giving the same name to different animals. As early as the 1840s a fairly widely
accepted code was produced; this was developed over the next 60 years. The 5 th International
Congress of Zoology set up the International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature
(ICZN) to oversee the rules. The ICZN adopted the 10 th edition of Systema Naturae as the
Figure 2.
Title page of
volume 1 of the
10 th Edition.
The 10th edition of Systema Naturae , published by Linnaeus 1758, classified and
described 4,400 species of animals and 7,700 species of plants. Volume 1 of the 1758 edition
deals with the animals; classification of plants is based on a different edition and is overseen
by a separate organisation. Since 1758, the number of known species of animals has risen
from 4,400 to about one million; the number of stick insect names has risen from three to over
3,000.
starting point for scientific names.
CAROLI LINNtEI
Equxtis De Stella Polari*
Archjxtjri Rhc.ii, Minx & Botav. Profess. Upsal.;
Acad. Upsal, Holmens. Pltropol. Berol, Imper.
Lond. Mgnspel, Tolos. Florent. Soc.
SYSTEMA
NATURE
Per.
REGNA TR1A NATURE,
Secundum
CLASSES, ORDINES,
G ENERA, SPECIES,
Cum
CHAR ACTE RIB US , DIFEERENTHS ,
STNONTMIS , LOCIS.
Tomus I.
Editio Drcima, Reformata.
Cum Privilege S:a Jt:a M;tis Svieia.
hqlmije,
Impensis Direct. LAURENTII SALVTI,
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 21
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P.E. Bragg
Systema Naturae was written in Latin, the usual language for scientific work at that
time. Figure 3 (below) shows page 425 and the top few lines of page 226; I have highlighted
the three phasmids in different colours.
Figure 3.
Page 425 & top
of page 426 of
the 10 th edition
of Systema
Naturae , with
phasmids
highlighted in
colour.
INSECTA COLEOPTERA. Blatta. 425
i nee pit nuperis temporibus Hoi mi# , uti dttdum in
Finlandia.
Coxfrmit Panem y cibaria , calceos lucifuga.
lapponi- 8, B. fhvefcens, elytrfs nigro maculatis, Fn. fvec. 618.
ca. Habitat in, Lapponiae imprimis , Cafis , confumit Pifees.
oblonga- y, B* oblonga Jivida , thoracc pim&is duobus lunulaquc
ta* nigris.
Habitat in America* Rolander *
Oblonga uti Cantbaris , paliide teftacea f livid a. An-
tennae clavataty air#. Pedes vaide hirti , Clypeus tho m
rac/s orbiculatus, convex us , glabt r, livid us , pofiice lu-
nula ntgra , in medio pundits 2 nigris infiar ocuUrum.
194. GRYLLUS* Caput nutans , maxillofum , pal-
pis quatuor ad maxillas*
Antenna fetacex*
Ala defiexx : fuperiores flexiles,
fubmembranacex.
*Pedes ialtatorii plcrisque.
* Mantis. Thorax elongatus , fublinearis. Pedes antis*
remotifftmi a reliquis*
gigas* 1. G. M. thorace teretiufculo fcabro, elytris brevibus, pc*
dibus fpinalis* M, L * £/*
R&f inf i. Grytt . /. 19, f 9. 10.
BradL natur. i. 27* f. 6.
Habitat in Amboina*
Elytra abdomine dimidio breviors . Al # maxim#.
phthifi- 2. G. M. thoracc teretiufculo muricato, elytris brcvifiimis,
cus* pedibus inermibus* M, L. U.
Habitat in Indiis,
Elytra bre'L'ijfima , medio Carina gibba , extus f pojlerius
nigra.
ficcifb- 3, G* M. thorace donticulato, femoribus ovatis membra-
lius* naceis. M. L. V.
Rvf. inf. 2 . grytt. t. 17 , f 4 * $\
Ilabttat in ludiis.
D d 5 Abdo-
4 i 6 INSECTA COLEOPTERA* Gryllus. Mantis*
Abdomen ovatum^ membranaceo-planum. Elytra virefeen -
tia , facie foliorum lauri , parallel a.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 22
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Biographies of Phasmatologists - 5. Carl Linnaeus
The Linnean Society and the Linnaean collection
James Smith was one of the founders, and the first President, of the Linnean Society of
London in 1788. The society was set up to further the knowledge of natural history, and is
now the oldest extant biological society in the world. Other Linnean Societies, with similar
aims, were later formed in other countries throughout the world. The Linnean Society of
London bought Smith’s collection (including Linnaeus’ material) after his death in 1828. The
Linnaean manuscripts and collections are preserved at the Linnean Society, Burlington
House, in London.
Smith’s own collection was mixed in with those he bought from the Linnaeus family so
it is not always clear which specimens belonged to Linnaeus. The collection includes about
14,000 plant and 5,000 animal specimens that are believed to have come from Linnaeus; of
these 3,198 are insects (Fitton & Harman, 2007), and two are phasmids (Marshall, 1983).
Specimens in Uppsala University Museum
Brock (2002) gave details and photographs of the specimens described by Linnaeus that are in
the museum at Uppsala. There are a total of four specimens, three of Phasma gigas
(Linnaeus, 1758) and one of Phyllium siccifolium (Linnaeus, 1758).
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 23
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P.E. Bragg
The phasmids of Linnaeus
Linnaeus divided the Insects into seven main groups; these were then split into smaller
groups. These smaller groups are now referred to as genera and further divisions of these
genera as subgenera. All the phasmids that Linnaeus described were placed in the genus
Gryllus , and subgenus Mantis. Linnaeus elevated Mantis to a full genus in the 12 th edition of
Systema Naturae in 1767. In 1758 the genus Gryllus included phasmids, mantids, crickets,
bush crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts; it is now restricted to some crickets. The subgenus
Mantis contained all the phasmids (3) and praying mantids (7); the genus Mantis is now
restricted to six species of praying mantids.
Linnaeus produced three publications naming new of phasmids species, Systema
Naturae in 1758, and two separate publications in 1763. None of his phasmids were
illustrated. Systema Naturae named three species. In 1763 Linnaeus described his fourth
species of phasmid in two different publications. However, he used different names in the
two publications, so he actually produced five species names. Linnaeus intended the name
necydaloides to replace brachypterus, however, this was an unnecessary change and under the
ICZN rules the earliest name, brachypterus, takes priority and is the valid name; the later
name, necydaloides , is a junior synonym and should not be used.
The table below gives the original name of his phasmids, followed by the year and page
number of the publication, and the current name.
Original name
Current name
Gryllus Mantis gigas 1758: 425.
Phasma gigas (Linnaeus, 1758)
Grlllus Mantis phthisicus 1758: 425
Pseudophasma phthisicum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gryllus Mantis siccifolius 1758: 425.
Phyllium siccifolium (Linnaeus, 1758)
Gryllus Mantis brachypterus 1763a: 14.
Pseudophasma brachypterum (Linnaeus, 1763)
Gryllus Mantis necydaloides 1763b: 397.
Pseudophasma brachypterum (Linnaeus, 1763)
The number of phasmids that Linnaeus originally had is unknown. Only six specimens
survive; there are no known specimens of those currently placed in Pseudophasma. Uppsala
contains one adult female Phyllium siccifolium, and one male, one adult female and one
female nymph of Phasma gigas. The two specimens (one male and one female) in the
Linnean Society, that were treated as gigas by Linnaeus, were later described as Diapherodes
scabricollis by Gray, in 1835, because he decided they were different from other specimens of
gigas.
References
Brock, P.D. (2002) Linnaean stick and leaf insect type material (Insecta: Phasmida). Le Bulletin de
Phyllie , 1(11): 3-14.
Fitton M. & Harman, K. (2007) The “Linnaean” insect collection. Linnean, Special Issue 7: 47-58.
Gray, G.R. (1835) Synopsis of the species of insects belonging to the family of Phasmidae. Lon gm ans,
London.
Linnaeus, C. (1758) Systema Naturae , 10 th Edition. Holmiae.
Linnaeus, C. (1763a) Centuria Insectorum Rariorum. Upsaliae.
Linnaeus, C. (1763b) CXXI. Centuria Insectorum. Amoenitates Academicae, 6: 384-415.
Linnaeus, C. (1767) Systema Naturae , 12 th Edition. Holmiae.
Marshall, J.A. (1983) The Orthopteroid insects described by Linnaeus, with notes on the Linnaean
collection. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 78(4): 375-396.
Thunberg, C.P. (1784) Dissertatio Entomologica, Novas Insectorum Species. Sistens. Cujus partem
tertiam. Upsaliae.
Thunberg, C.P. (1815) Hemipterorum maxillosorum genera illustrata. Memoires de VAcademie
Imperiale des Sciences de St.-Petersbourg, Volume 5.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 24
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther.
P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro.
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
O. Zompro, Elmshorner StraBe 162, 25421 Pinneberg, Germany.
Abstract
Klaus Gunther (1907-1975) was a prolific phasmid taxonomist. His life and phasmid work is outlined. He
described 24 new genera and 146 new species or subspecies of Phasmida and illustrated most of those species.
His arrangement of the families, subfamilies and tribes of phasmids (1953) remained almost unchanged for 50
years.
Keywords
Phasmida, Phasmatologist, Klaus Gunther, Biography.
Klaus Gunther (1907-1975)
Klaus Gunther was born in Wilmersdorf, Berlin on 7th October
1907. His father, Alfred Gunther was a Landgerichtsprasident:
the president of a district court. He married Elfriede Volprecht
and they had three children: Klaus and his twin brother, Ulrich
and a younger brother Eberhard. Their mother died when
Eberhard was born in 1911.
Gunther studied Zoology, Botany, Geography, Chemistry
and Numismatics in Berlin. In his dissertation he worked on the
mouthparts of Crustaceans. Beside his studies he started
publishing papers on entomology, mostly with a faunistic-
biogeographical background. From 1934 onwards he was the
leader of the entomological department of the Museum fur
Tierkunde in Dresden. From 1942 on he also headed the numismatic museum. He kept both
positions until 1946. Gunther married his second wife, Hildegard Kaufhold, in 1935.
In 1948 he moved to the Institute of Genetics at the Humboldt-University of Berlin.
From 1957 he was professor at the Zoological Institute of the Freie Universitat Berlin.
Between 1934 and 1944 he was the chief editor of the entomological journal “Ms”. Gunther
was mainly interested in evolution and biogeography. He was also interested in ecology, and
he created the term “ecological niche”, which is nowadays well known, but hardly attributed
to him. In his numerous works on the skulls of fishes he concentrated on functional anatomy,
especially of deep-sea fish. He is the author of several important works on medieval coins.
In his private life Gunther loved to travel to Greece. His second wife, Hildegard, died
in January 1969 and in February of 1970 he married Waltraut Wolf. Shortly after remarrying,
Gunther retired early, in the middle of 1970, because of increasing health problems. In spite
of this he kept on working, but because of his early death he could not finish many of the
works he had started. Klaus Gunther died in Berlin on 1st August 1975 at the age of 67.
Urich (1975) lists 130 zoological papers, mainly on phasmids and other orthopteroid
insects, weevils, behaviour and skull anatomy of fish, published by Gunther, and 20 on
ancient to early medieval coins and cultural history. This list does not include chapters
written to be included in other peoples’ books.
Gunther’s phasmid publications
Between 1928 and 1953 Gunther published 33 papers that dealt with phasmids: 26 dealt
solely with phasmids while seven included other insects, mainly Orthoptera and earwigs.
After 1953 he contributed chapters on phasmids to three books, one was a short chapter in
which he described one new species in South African Animal Life (Gunther, 1956a), the other
two were different editions of a book on genitalia (Gunther, 1956b & 1970). For a full list of
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 25
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P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro
his phasmid works see the reference and bibliography at the end of this paper.
With such a large output, it is inevitable that there are some mistakes in some of his
papers. Some examples of transcription or printer’s errors are given below.
The Phasmids of Gunther
Gunther has been the most prolific phasmid taxonomist since Brunner von Wattenwyl and
Josef Redtenbacher produced their three-part monograph in 1906-1908. He described 24 new
genera and 146 new species or subspecies of phasmids; all but one described between 1928
and 1944, the exception being a single species in 1956.
Unlike many earlier authors, Gunther illustrated almost every new species that he
described, although many of the illustrations were limited to just part of the insect. Notable
exceptions are his papers of 1938 and 1943; each contain only one illustration, and that in his
1938 paper is not of a new species. His two largest papers (1929, 1931) are indexed.
He worked on phasmids from most areas of the world. He did a significant amount of
work on particular regions: Borneo (1932a, 1932b, 1932d, 1932e, 1935a, 1943a, 1944), New
Guinea (1929, 1930b, 1936, 1937a), Oceania (1931, 1933, 37b), Celebes (1935c, 1939b),
China, (1940b), South America (1930a, 1932f, 1940a). He also produced a large revision of
the genus Lonchodes (1932c) and a comprehensive work on the families, subfamilies and
tribes (1953).
Gunther’s arrangement of the higher taxa hardly altered for almost 50 years. It was
used by Bradley and Galil (1977) as the basis for their keys to families, subfamilies and
tribes; even today these remain the most recent comprehensive keys available, although there
have been a number of significant changes in the past decade.
Gunther published a number of synonyms, many of which are clearly wrong. He had a
tendency to synonymise species just on the basis of the description, without examining the
original specimens, particularly in the wingless phasmids. A striking example of this is with
Datames oileus (Westwood, 1859), Gunther (1934: 76) synonymised six other species with
oileus. Although he had almost certainly not examined most of the original specimens (if
any), he presumably assumed that they were just one variable species. In fact some of these
seven species are so different that they are currently placed in three different genera (Dares,
Orestes, & Pylaemenes)\
Notes on some specimens described by Gunther
Most of the material described by Gunther is in the museums he indicated. However, some of
the material that he borrowed from other museums was not returned, Gunther retained some
duplicates. Specimens from at least one of his phasmid papers, including type specimens,
have been destroyed. The 36 specimens of South American material that Gunther (19321)
recorded and sent back to the Apolinar Maria Collection in Colombia was destroyed by a fire
on 10th April 1942 (Yenny Rosas, pers. com .); this included the type specimens of two
species: Xera apolinari Gunther, 1932 and Libethra tenuis Gunther, 1932.
Otte & Brock (2005) state that material of Gunther’s that should be in Calcutta has been
lost; however, this is not the case: 22 of Gunther’s types are present in the Calcutta collection
(Bragg & Mukherjee, in prep.) Furthermore, six of Gunther’s type specimens from Calcutta
museum are now in Dresden Museum, having been retained by Gunther (Zompro, 2003).
With the exception of one male Menexenus tenmalainus, all Gunther’s types from Calcutta
therefore still exist.
The majority of Gunther’s type material is housed in the museums of Hamburg and
Dresden (Zompro, 2002, 2003).
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 26
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Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther
New genera described by Gunther
Gunther described 24 new genera and also produced another generic name by mistake. The
mistake appears to be a transcription error by Gunther. The name Poecilobactron (Gunther,
1953: 556) is a mixture of the genus and species name of a species, Thaumatobactron
poecilosoma, which he described in 1929. The new genera that he described are listed
alphabetically below.
Acanthograeffea Gunther, 1931: 760.
Cylindomena Gunther, 1935b: 139.
Dagys Gunther, 1 93 5 c : 3 .
Echinothorax Gunther, 1931: 757.
Elicius Gunther, 1935c: 16.
Eubias Gunther, 1 93 5c : 2 1 .
Kalocorinnis Gunther, 1944: 77.
Korinnis Gunther, 1932a: 66.
Lobophasma Gunther, 1935b: 139.
Miroceramia Gunther, 1934a: 283.
Moritasgus Gunther, 1935c: 19.
Mortites Gunther, 1935c: 13.
Mylothrus Gunther, 1935c: 18.
Nesiophasma Gunther, 1934d: 5.
Ommatopseudes Gunther, 1942: 323 (footnote)
Oreophasma Gunther, 1929: 659.
Otraleus Gunther, 1935c: 28.
Paraloxopsis Gunther, 1932b: 317.
Pericentropsis Gunther, 1936: 336.
Pseudopromachus Gunther, 1929: 745.
Pterolibethra Gunther, 1940a: 498.
Sinophasma Gunther, 1940b: 240.
Thaumatobactron Gunther, 1929: 663.
Woodlarkia Gunther, 1931: 754.
New species and subspecies described by Gunther
Gunther described 146 new species and subspecies.
An example of a copying error in species names by Gunther is with the name Calvisia
axillaris ; it appears on the label of one of the type series of specimens that was described as
Calvisia nigro axillaris Gunther, 1943; this was further complicated by Gunther listing the wrong
number of specimens for this species (Bragg, 1996: 112; Bragg, 2001: 710). However, an error
in his 1929 paper is probably the printer’s error: Lopaphus biigersi (Gunther, 1929: 697) should
read Lopaphus biirgersi, the first “r” has been missed out; the species is clearly named after the
expedition leader Dr.Biirgers, and the name is correctly spelt in the contents list on page 600.
Since the German letter “IT does not exist in Latin, the ICZN Code modifies the spelling to
buergersi. However, the umlaut is only changed when used in German words; Gunther (1935)
used mjobergi to name a species after Dr. Eric Mjoberg who was Swedish, so the spelling of the
specific name should be mjobergi , not mjoebergi.
6*iko* €*/•«*«*
k.tSH'bu* w-r.
Fig. 2. Fully hand written determination label.
Below are lists of the species and subspecies described by Gunther. The new species are
arranged alphabetically by species name within each year group, the genus is given in brackets;
new subspecies are listed under the list of species.
1928
rex (Eucarcharus)
1928: 218, with drawing on page 220.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 27
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro
1929 species
annulatus (Hermarchus) 1929: 689.
biroi (Neopromachus) 1929: 736.
biirgersi (Lopaphus) 1929: 697.
biirgersi ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 641, fig 9.
doederleini (Graejfea) 1929: 684, fig 3.1-2.
dyselius ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 654, fig 14.
elegans ( Neopromachus ) .... 1929: 634, fig 2, pi. 1.1-2.
epombrus ( Neocles ) 1929: 696.
excellens (Sipyloidea) 1929: 693, pi. 1.4.
flavostriatus (Dimorphodes) 1929: 677.
gibbosus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 653,
fig 13 & pi. 7.5.
gracilis ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 635, figs 3-4.
mirus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 644, figs 10-11.
neglectus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 648.
nigrogranulatus ( Neopromachus ) ... 1929: 647, pi. 7.4.
1929 subspecies
vepres flabellatus ( Neopromachus )
vepres olivaceus ( Neopromachus )
coriacea maluensis (Eurycantha)
prostasis dorsatus ( Dimorphodes )
galbanus monticola (Erastus)
olbiotyphus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 646, fig 12.
oreitrephes ( Hermarchus ) 1929: 687, pi. 6.
pachynotus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 657, pi. 5.1.
paradoxus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 651.
parvulus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 637, fig 5.
poecilosoma (Thaumatobactron) 1929: 663,
fig 16-17 & pi. 7.1-2.
polyacanthum (Oreophasma) 1929: 659.
rammei (Periphetes) 1929: 661, pi. 2.1 & 2.2.
ramuensis ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 735.
riparius ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 633, fig 1.
scharreri ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 639, fig 8, pi. 1.3.
velatus ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 655 fig 15.
xanthopteryx (Apterrhidaeus) ... 1929: 681, pi. 2.3-4.
zernyi ( Neopromachus ) 1929: 638, figs 6-7.
1929: 649, pi. 5.2 n.ssp. ofN. vepres (Brunner, 1907).
1929: 650. n.ssp. of N. vepres (Brunner, 1907).
. 1929: 673. n.ssp. of E. coriacea Redtenbacher, 1908.
1929: 676. n.ssp. of D. prostasis Westwood, 1859.
1929: 681. n.ssp. of E. galbanus Redtenbacher, 1908.
1930 species
acanthonota (Ocnophila) 1930a: 567, fig 9.
dendrokomus (Mirophasma) 1930a: 560, figs. 3-4.
exiguus ( Neopromachus ) 1930b: 747, fig 1.
gymnota (Jeremia) 1930a: 568, fig 10.
mayri ( Thaumatobactron ) 1930b: 732, fig. 2.
posthumus ( Neopromachus ) 1930b: 747, figs 7-8.
reticulata ( Sipyloidea ) 1930b: 735, fig 3.
viridimaculatus ( Stratocles ) 1930a: 561, fig 5.
xanthotaenidium (Pseudophasma).. 1930a: 563, fig 6.
1930 subspecies
erringtoniae novaeguineae (Haaniella) 1930b: 737, figs 4-5. n.ssp. of H. erringtoniae (Redtenbacher, 1906).
hosei papuanus (Lonchodes) 1930b: 739, fig 6. n.ssp. ofL. hosei Kirby, 1896.
1931
modesta (Acantho graejfea) 1931: 777, fig. 2. | meridionalis (Ophicrania) 1931: 779, fig. 3
1932
apolinari (Xera) 1932f: 227, pi. 9.9.
korystes ( Paraloxopsis ) 1932b: 318, fig. 1.
mantis rajae (Apora) 1932d: 265, fig. 4.
oreibates (Orthonecroscia) 1932a: 71, fig 2.
potameis ( Korinnis ) 1932a: 67, fig. 1.
tenuis (Libethra) 1932f: 246, pi. 10.8 & 1 1.25-26.
titschacki (Galactea) 1932e: 153.
winkleri ( Galactea ) 1932e: 149, figs 1 & 2.
1933
australe (Phasmotaenionema) 1933: 155, figs. 1-4.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 28
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther
1934 species
eremothocus ( Nesiophasma ) 1934d: 6, fig 1.
exigua (Parasipyloidea) 1934c: 528, fig 1.
1934 subpecies
insularis verrucifer (Leprocaulus)
insularis talaudiensis ( Leprocaulus )
1935
athlius (Eubias) 1935c: 22. pi. 2.14
balia (Dagys) 1935c: 3, pi. 1.1.
celebensis (Neopromachus) 1935c: 14.
chloe (Necroscia) 1935a: 20, fig. 5a & 5b.
enarges (Mortites) 1935c: 13.
epidicus (Menexenus) 1935c: 5, pi. 1.3.
hariola (Sipyloidea) 1935c: 23, pi. 2.15.
heinrichi (Carausius) 1935c: 6, pi. 1.4.
heinrichi (Nescicroa) 1935c: 25, pl.2.17.
hypsimelathrus ( Otraleus ) 1935c: 28, pl.2.18.
microbasileus (Elicius) 193 5c: 17.
mjobergi (Orthonecroscia) 1935a: 23, figs 7a-b.
perminutus ( Neopromachus ) 1934a: 286.
pterobrimus ( Miroceramia ) 1934a: 284, fig 1.
1934b: 82. n.ssp. ofL. insularis (Kirby, 1896).
1934b: 79. n.ssp. ofL. insularis (Kirby, 1896).
monticola ( Necroscia ) 1935a: 17, figs 3a & 3b.
obsolefactum (Prisomera) 1935c: 4, fig.
oligarches (Mylothrus) 193 5c: 18.
parastatidon (Periphetes) 1935c: 11. fig.
potameis ( Necroscia ) 1935a: 19, fig 4.
rammei ( Nescicroa ) 1935c: 26.
scalprifera (Cylindomena) 1935b: 139, fig 5a & 5b.
sjostedti (Presbistus) 1935a: 5, fig. 1.
stresemanni (Moritasgus) 1935c: 20 pi. 2. 13.
tenella ( Necroscia ) 1935c: 24, pi. 2.16.
tibangensis (Necrosciodes) .... 1935a: 21, figs 6a & 6b.
willemsei (Parapygirhynchus) .... 1935b: 125 figs. 2-4.
Fig. 4. Orthonecroscia mjobergi
Gunther, 1935, syntype male in
Dresden Museum. This species
was published as Orthonecroscia
mjobergi but the specimen was
labelled by Gunther (see fig 3) as
Ocellata mjobergi. Ocellata
Redtenbacher, 1908 is a junior
synonym of Orthonecroscia
Kirby, 1904.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 29
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro
1936
aculeata (Pericentropsis) 1936: 336, fig. 13.
echinata (Trapezaspis) 1936: 335, fig. 12.
extraordinarius (Neopromachus) ..1936: 326, fig 1.
1937
carli ( Heterocopus ) 1937a: 83, figs. 1-2.
injucundus ( Neopromachus ) 1937a: 93.
iwctavelatus ( Neopromachus ) 1937a: 88, fig 2.
1938
acanthonotus ( Sipyloidea ) 1938: 138.
annandalei (Asceles) 1938: 136.
errans ( Korinnis ) 1938: 125.
errans (Orthonecroscia) 1938: 140.
glaber (Asceles) 1938: 135.
1939 species
aberrans (Staelonchodes) 1939b: 77, fig 15.
aptera ( Hemiplastra ) 1939b: 90, fig 21-22.
exiguus exiguus (Menexenus) .. 1939b: 72, fig. 13.
fruhstorferi ( Sipyloidea ) 1939b: 85, fig. 18.
1939 subspecies
exiguus alienigena ( Menexenus )
horridus horridus toliensis ( Menexenus )
horridus maribulla ( Menexenus )
horridus toliensis ( Menexenus )
1940
acheloa (Libethra) 1940a: 496, fig. 19.
adelpha ( Sipyloidea ) 1940b: 245.
brevipenne (Sinophasma) 1940b: 244, figs E,L,G.
difficilis (Micadina) 1940b: 237.
glabra ( Phasgania ) 1940b: 246.
heteronemia (Pterolibethra) 1940a: 499.
honei ( Sinophasma ) 1940b: 243, figs D, M.
1942
paradoxus (Ommatopseudes) 1942: 323. fig 15.
laetus ( Neopromachus ) 1936: 331, fig 9.
robusta ( Sipyloidea ) 1936: 343, fig. 17.
leveri (Ophicrania) 1937b: 5, fig. 3.
schlaginhaufeni ( Neopromachus ) 1937a: 91.
lobatipes ( Ignacia ) 1938: 124.
nitida (Sipyloidea) 1938: 137.
ocellata (Sosibia) 1938: 139.
tenmalainus (Menexenus) 1938: 127.
nodosum (Prisomera) 1939b: 79, fig. 16-17.
sarasinorum (Menenenus) .... 1939b: 70, figs 10-11.
sarasinorum (Hemiplasta) 1939b: 88, fig. 19-20.
involuta (Micadina) 1940b: 238, fig. A, H.
klapperichi (Sinophasma) 1940b: 240, figs B,K,F,N.
mirabile (Sinophasma) 1940b: 242, figs C, J.
poeciloptera (Phantasca) 1940a: 500.
tacanae (Isagoras) 1940a: 494.
waehneri (Bacteria) 1940a: 495, fig 18.
1939b: 73, fig. 12. n.ssp. ofM exiguus Gunther, 1939
1939b: 68, figs 8-9. n.ssp. of M. horridus Brunner, 1907
. 1939b: 65, figs 4-6. n.ssp. of M. horridus Brunner, 1907
1939b: 67, fig 7. n.ssp. of M. horridus Brunner, 1907
1943
coeruleomaculata (Orthonecroscia) 1943a: 166.
croceomaculata (Paradiacantha (?)) 1943a: 160.
dajak ( Lonchodes ) 1 943a: 153.
flavo granulosa (Necroscia) 1943a: 164.
neglecta (Apora) 1943a: 152.
nieuwenhuisi (Orthonecroscia) 1943a: 167.
nigroaxillaris (Calvisia) 1943a: 169.
speciosa (Orthonecroscia) 1943a: 168.
spiniger (Neocles (?)) 1943a: 158, fig. 1.
viridimaculatus (Syringodes) 1943a: 156.
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 30
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther
1944
calopteryx (Kalocorinnis) 1944: 78, fig. 5. longipennis (Centema) 1944: 78.
jacobsoni ( Haaniella ) 1944: 73, figs. 3 & 4. parva (Haaniella) 1944: 73, fig. 2.
1956
rubrotaeniatus (Ramulus) 1956a: 90, figs 1-5.
Figs. 5 & 6. Orthonecroscia errans Gunther, 1938 syntypes from Dresden Museum.
5. Male. 6. Female.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 31
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg & O. Zompro
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr Eckhard Groll of the Deutsches Entomologisches Institut for providing the
photograph of Klaus Gunther, and Dresden Museum for the loan of specimens.
References & Bibliography of Gunther’s phasmid publications
Bradley, J.C. & Galil, B.S. (1977) The taxonomic arrangement of the Phasmatodea with keys to the
subfamilies and tribes. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 79: 176-208.
Bragg, P.E. (1996) Type specimens of Phasmida in Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden
(Insecta: Phasmida). Zoologische Mededelingen Leidem 70: 105-115.
Bragg, P.E. (2001) Phasmids of Borneo. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah.
Bragg, P.E. & Mukherjee, T. (in prep. ) Catalogue of phasmid types in Kolkata Musuem.
Brunner von Wattenwyl, K. (1907) Die Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Vol. 2. Wilhelm Engelmann,
Leipzig.
Gunther, K. (1928) Eine neue Stabheuschrecke aus Sumatra. Konowia, 7: 218-222.
Gunther, K. (1929) Die Phasmoiden der Deutschen Kaiserin Augusta-Fluss-Expedition 1912/13. Ein
Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Phasmoidenfauna Neuguineas. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in
Berlin , 14: 600-746, plates 1-7.
Gunther, K. (1930a) Neue und wenig bekannte Phasmoiden von Sudamerika. Mitteilungen aus dem
Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 15: 559-570.
Gunther, K. (1930b) Weitere Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Phasmoidenfauna Neu Guineas. Mitteilungen
aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 15: 729-747.
Gunther, K. (1931) Beitrage zur Systematik und Geschichte der Phasmoidenfauna Ozeaniens.
Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 17: 753-835.
Gunther, K. (1932a) Die von Professor Dr. H. Winkler 1924/25 in Zentralbomeo gesammelien
Phasmoiden. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 101(3/4): 65-73.
Gunther, C. (1932b) Phasmoiden des Kina Balu auf Borneo, aus dem Hamberger Zool. Museum.
Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, 49(4): 313-320.
Gunther, K. (1932c) Revision des Genus Lonchodes Gray (Orth. Phasm.). EOS Madrid, 8: 367-389.
Gunther, K. (1932d) Das Genus Apora Br. (Orth. Phasm.). Konowia, 11(4): 260-265.
Gunther, K. (1932e) 2 neue Arten der Gattung Galactea Redt. mit allgemeinen Bennerkungen fiber
dieses Genus. (Orth. Phasm.). Mitteilungen der Deutschen Entomologische Gesellschaft, 3(10): 149-158.
Gunther, K. (1932f) Columbianische Phasmoiden aus der Sammlung des Rev. Apolinar Maria. Mit
einer Uebersicht liber das Genus Libethra Stal. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin,
18:226-261.
Gunther, K. (1933) Uber eine kleine Sammlung von Phasmoiden und Forficuliden aus Melanesien.
Verhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Basel, 44(2): 151-164.
Gunther, K. (1934a) Beitrag zur Kenntnis malayisch-papuanischer Phasmoiden und Forficuliden.
Konowia, 13: 283-289.
Gunther, K. (1934b) Phasmoiden von den Talaud-Inseln und von der Insel Morotai, mit kritischen
Bemerkungen iiber einzelne Arten und einem zoogeographischen Anhang. Sitzungberichte der
Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde, pp. 75-94.
Gunther, K. (1934c) Phasmoiden und Forficuliden von Java, den Kleinen Sundainseln und
Nordaustralien. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 41: 525-537.
Gunther, K. (1934d) Eine neue Stabheuschrecke von Kalao Tua. Nebst Bermerkungen fiber ihre
systematische und zoogeographische Stellung. Mitteilungen der Deutschen Entomologische Gesellschaft,
5:5-9.
Gunther, K. (1934e) Uber die Variability bei Phasmoiden und anderen Orthopteren und ihre Folgen
fiir dei Systematik. Entomologische Beihefte Berlin-Dahlem, 1: 100-105.
Gunther, K. (1935a) Phasmoiden aus Centralbomeo. Arkiv for Zoologi, 28A(9): 1-29.
Gunther, K. (1935b) Ueber einige Phasmoiden aus der Sammlung des Herm Dr. C. Willemse,
Eijgelshoven. Natuurhistorisch Maandblad Maastricht, 24: 123-126 & 138-140.
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 32
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Biographies of Phasmatologists - 6. Klaus Gunther
Gunther, K. (1935c) Die von Gerd Heinrich 1930-1932 auf Celebes gesammelten Phasmoiden.
Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin , 21: 1-29, pi. 1-2.
Gunther, K. (1936) Phasmoiden und Acrydiinen (Orthoptera) von Hollandisch Neu Guinea -
Hauptsachlich aus den Ausbeuten der Herren Docters van Leeuwen (1926), van Heum (1920), P.N. van
Kampen und K. Gjellerup (1910). Nova Guinaea. Resultats des Expeditions Scientifiques a la Nouvelle
Guinee, 17(3): 323-352.
Gunther, K. (1937a) Die von Dr. Schlaginhaufen 1909 in Neuguinea gesammelten Phasmoiden (Orth.).
Vierteljahrsschrift der Naturf. Ges ells chaft in Zurich, 82: 77-97 & plate 1.
Gunther, K. (1937b) Uber einige Orthopteren von den Solomon-Inseln und von Vanikoro. Mitteilungen
der Deutschen Entomologische Gesellschaft , 8: 3-10.
Gunther, K. (1938) Neue und weinig bekannte Phasmoiden aus dem Indian Museum Calcutta. Records
of the Indian Museum , 40: 123-141.
Gunther, K. (1939a) Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Fortpflanzungsbiologie der Stabheuschrecke Orxines
macklotti de Haan. Verhandlungen VII International Kongress jur Entomologie, Berlin 1938 , 2:
1156-1169.
Gunther, K. (1939b) Orthoptera Celebica Sarasiniana. II Phasmoidae. Verhandlungen der
Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Basel , 49: 54-92.
Gunther, K. (1940a) Uber die Verbreitung einiger Insekten im Gebiete des Amazonenstromes und die
Frage eines colombischen Faunendistrilctes in der brasilianischen Subregion. Archiv fur Naturgeschichte,
N.F. 9: 450-500.
Gunther, K. (1940b) Neue Stabheuschrecken (Phasmoiden) aus China. Decheniana, 99B(2): 237-248.
Gunther, K. (1942) Uber Faktoren der Formendifferenzierung sowie okonomische und luxurierende
Typen bei Insekten. Photographie und Forschung, 3: 313-325.
Gunther, K. (1943a) Die Phasmoiden (Orthoptera) der "Bomeo-expedition Dr. Nieuwenhuis" aus dem
Stromgebiet des oberen Mahakam. Eos Madrid , 19: 149-172.
Gunther, K. (1943b) Hexapoda, Orthoptera, Famille Phasmidae. in Parc National Albert I Mission
G.F. de Witte 1933-1935. 43(2): 5-6.
Gunther, K. (1944) Bemerkungen tiber indomalayische Stabheuschrecken (Orth.), besonders die
Gattung Haaniella Kby. Stettin Entomologische Zeitung, 105: 68-79.
Gunther, K. (1953) Uber die taxonomische Gliederung und die geographische Verbreitung der
Insektenordnung der Phasmatodea. Beitrage zur Entomologie, 3(5): 541-563.
Gunther, K. (1956a) Chapter 3, Phasmatoptera. pp. 87-93. In Hanstrom, B., Brinck, P. & Rudebeck,
G. South African Animal Life, results of the Lund University expedition in 1950-1951.
Gunther, K. (1956b) Cheleutoptera (Phasmoidea). pp. 11-16 & 49-52, in Tuxon, S.L. Taxonomist's
glossary of genitalia in insects. [1 st edition] Ejnar Munksgaard, Copenhagen.
Gunther, K. (1970) Chapter 12, Cheleutoptera (Phasmoidea). pp. 58-61, in Tuxon, S.L. Taxonomist's
glossary of genitalia in insects. [2 nd edition] Ejnar Munksgaard, Copenhagen.
Otte, D. & Brock, P. (2005) Phasmida Species File, Catalog of Stick and Leaf Insects of the World.
Insect Diversity Association, Philadelphia.
Redtenbacher, J. (1906) Die Insektenfamilie der P has miden. Vol. 1. Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig.
Redtenbacher, J. (1908) Die Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Vol. 3. Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig.
Urich, K. (1975) Klaus Gunther (7.X.1907 - 1 viii. 1975). Zoologische Beitrdge, 21: 347-361.
Zompro, O. (2002) Catalogue of type material of the insect order Phasmatodea at the Zoologisches
Museum der Universitat Hamburg (Insecta: Orthoptera: Phasmatodea). Mitteilungen des Hamburger
Zoologischen Museums und Instituts 99: 179-201.
Zompro, O. (2003) Catalogue of type-material of the insect order Phasmatodea deposited in the
Museum fur Tierkunde, Dresden, Germany. Phasmid Studies, 11(2): 31-44.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 33
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Notes on Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835) and Necroscia bistriolata
(Redtenbacher, 1908)
P.E. Bragg, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP, U.K.
Abstract
Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835) and Necroscia bistriolata (Redtenbacher, 1908) are two species that were
synonymised by Gunther in 1935 but removed from synonymy by Brock in 1996. The species are compared
and illustrated. The type series of bistriolata contains at least two species which could explain why the
synonym was first proposed. A lectotype is selected for Aruanoidea bistriolata Redtenbacher, 1908. The status
of N. punctata in Borneo is reviewed.
Key words
Phasmida, Necroscia punctata, Necroscia bistriolata, Aruanoidea bistriolata, Lectotype, Borneo, Sumatra, Java,
Peninsular Malaysia.
Introduction
Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835) was described from a single male. The holotype in the
Natural History Museum, London (BMNH) is in poor condition, it lacks mid legs, hind and
the abdomen. From what remains it is not possible to identify the species with certainty: there
are too many similar species.
The species was described from the East Indies (India Orientali), a rather vague locality.
The British presence in Malaysia and Singapore in the 1830s means there is a good
possibility that this is the source of Gray’s specimen; particularly as Necroscia annulipes
(Gray, 1835), which was also described from the East Indies (albeit from a different private
collection), is a very distinctive species found in Mainland Malaysia. Sumatra, Cambodia and
Thailand, the other subsequently recorded localities for annulipes , are unlikely sources for
specimens imported to Britain in the 1830s.
Brock (1999) gives a key to the species of Necroscia in Mainland Malaysia and
Singapore and a brief description of N. punctata. Since Malaysia is a very likely source for
Gray’s specimen, it is reasonable to assume that Brock has correctly identified the species.
Complications with Necroscia punctata
The coloration of punctata is quite variable. Although often fairly plain green, mottled
specimens are quite common and Brock states that red, yellow and brown specimens occur.
There are a considerable number of mottled species of Necroscia in South East Asia.
Illustrations of punctata in Brock’s (1999) and in Seow-Choen’s (2000) books are not
sufficiently detailed to be of use for identifying the species outside Peninsular Malaysian and
Singapore.
One of the complications is that historically, mottled species were often assumed to be
punctata ; for example, de Haan (1842) recorded three variations of punctata based on
coloration, two of these were later named as distinct species: N. haanii Kirby, 1904 from
Borneo, and N. horsfieldii from Java. Another mottled species, N. westwoodii Kirby, 1904
from Singapore, was also originally thought to be punctata by Westwood (1859: 142).
In his 1935 paper on Bornean species, Gunther synonymised Aruanoidea bistriolata
Redtenbacher, 1908 (described from Java and Sumatra) with Necroscia punctata (Gray). In
1996 Brock said that Gunther was in error and reinstated Necroscia bistriolata
(Redtenbacher, 1908) as a valid species. Having recently examined three of the type
specimens of bistriolata , I found both authors were wrong - or both correct depending on
one’s point of view! In fact, of the three I have examined, one is very similar to punctata and
the other two are clearly a different species.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 34
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Notes on Necroscia punctata and Necroscia bistriolata
Figures 1-6. Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835).
1. Male. 2. Female. 3. Eggs.
4-6. Portions of costal region of the hind wing of three different specimens (not to
same scale as figs. 1-3).
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 35
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
The status of Necroscia punctata as a Bornean species
My main interest is in Bornean species and punctata is one of several mottled species to be
recorded from the island. However, although I have collected punctata in both Singapore and
Peninsular Malaysia, I have yet to see a specimen from Borneo.
Redtenbacher (1908: 528) recorded a specimen of punctata from Borneo in Berlin
Museum (ZMHB); this specimen was also examined by Gunther (1935: 14). I have examined
this specimen and found it is clearly not punctata. Redtenbacher’ s specimen is the same as a
specimen in my own collection that I had, until very recently, treated as Necroscia haanii.
However, when I put them under the microscope to do drawings of my specimens of haanii,
intending to include them here, I was surprised to find that they appear to be three different,
but superficially similar, species. Which of the three is the true haanii I will only be able to
determine by re-examining the type material. Fortunately, the three species are from very
different localities and I have both sexes from each locality.
Gunther’s (1935) record of punctata in Borneo included Redtenbacher’ s specimen
(above) and he considered the three type specimens of bistriolata in Berlin Museum to be the
same species. This raises serious doubt about the identity of the other Bornean specimens
that Gunther identified as punctata.
There are three other records of punctata from Borneo. Westwood (1859) recorded
punctata from Sarawak but, as the female he described at the same time was later found to be
a different species (N. westwoodii ), this is an unreliable record. Westwood did not say which
museum contains the Sarawak material but I recently visited Oxford (OXUM) and found two
specimens from Sarawak labelled punctata, the female is clearly not punctata , the male lacks
the abdomen so cannot be identified with certainty but is patterned very similarly to one of
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 36
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Notes on Necroscia punctata and Necroscia bistriolata
my haanii- like specimens. Aruanoidea tenera Redtenbacher, 1908 was synonymised with
punctata by Brock (1996); Hausleithner (1991) recorded tenera from Kinabalu Park HQ,
Sabah but this is suspect because tenera had not been recorded from Borneo previously and
one of my N. haanii- like species occurs in the Park HQ area. Necroscia chloe Gunther, 1935
was described from Borneo and Brock (1996) synonymised it with punctata ; however, the
synonym is based on material in Leiden Museum not on Gunther’s type material; Gunther’s
illustration of the abdomen of this species is too small for identification.
Necroscia punctata (Gray, 1835) (figs 1-13, & 25)
Platycrana punctata Gray, 1835: 37. Holotype S (BMNH) East Indies.
Aruanoidea tenera Redtenbacher, 1908: 528. Synonymised by Brock, 1996: 90.
Necroscia chloe Gunther, 1935: 20, fig. 5a-b (c?). Synonymised by Brock, 1996: 90.
Aruanoidea adspersa Redtenbacher, 1908 3: 528. Synonymised by Brock, 1999: 190.
[Aruanoidea bistriolata Redtenbacher, 1908: 528. Synonymised by Gunther, 1935a: 13 -in error].
Material examined:
S Holotype (BMNH) East Indies.
f (PEB-2774) WEST MALAYSIA, Cameron Highlands. 1997. [Bought from dealer, price
£ 2 . 00 ].
$ (PEB-2379) WEST MALAYSIA, Pahang, Tasik Chini. P.E. Bragg, 16-10-1994.
S (PEB-1507) SINGAPORE, Nee Soon, Swamp Forest. P.E. Bragg, 25-07-1992.
f & eggs (PEB-2398), ? (PEB-2397), $ (PEB-2387) SINGAPORE, Upper Pierce Reservoir.
P.E. Bragg, 18.x. 1994.
2^$ with eggs removed from the body (PEB-3092, PEB-3093) SINGAPORE, Upper Pierce
Reservoir. P.E. Bragg, 28.vii.2001.
Female: Body length 74-9 1mm. The wings reach half way along 7 th tergite. The female has a
very distinct praeopercular organ which is composed of a deep hollow and two large oval
swellings. The hollow is formed by a depression in the 7 th sternite and an indentation of
anterior margin of the operculum. The oval swellings lie almost parallel to each other,
longitudinal to the body (fig. 7). The apices of the cerci are very angular, almost rectangular.
Male: Body length 64-67mm. Wings reach to half way along 6 th tergite. Anal segment
(excluding processes) about half as long as 9 th tergite; posterior margin with a concave curve,
with a rounded extension on the corners. The 1 1 th segment is clearly visible as a rounded lobe
(fig. 9). Cerci clubbed (broadest at apices). Vomer unispinose (fig. 11).
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 37
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
Necroscia bistriolata (Redtenbacher, 1908) (figs 14-24)
Aruanoidea bistriolata Redtenbacher, 1908: 528, plate 27, fig 11 (3 abdomen). Lectotype 3
from Sumatra (ZMHB - Berlin) [here selected - data below]. Paralectotypes: 5 from Sumatra,
5 from Java (ZMHB); 2$$ from Sumatra, 5c? c? & 3$$ from Java (NHMW - Wien); 3 & $
from Java (ISBN - Brussels); several S3 & $$ from Sumatra & Engano Island (MCSN -
Genoa); 2c? c? & from Java (SMNS - Stuttgart). The paralectotypes represent at least two
species. For details of the type data see Brock (1998: 18), except for types in Berlin which are
listed below (and seem to have been overlooked by Brock).
Figures 14-15. Aruanoidea bistriolata (Redtenbacher, 1908), specimens from Sumatra.
14. Male lectotype. 15. Female paralectotype.
Material examined:
c? Fectotype (ZMHB) SUMATRA, Deli. Hartert. Fmhstorfer.; Aruanoidea bistriolata Br. Brunner det.
[specimen lacks left hind leg, and front right and mid left tarsi],
jjl’ Paralectotype (ZMHB) OST-SUMATRA, Glen Bervi in Beneden Langkat. Ernst von Beneden.;
Aruanoidea bistriolata Br. Brunner det. [specimen lacks all right legs, left fore leg, all tarsi, antennae and
cerci, and hind tibia is broken],
$ (OXUM) SUM.; E. coll. (183 0-73) W.W. Saunders. Purchased and pres. ’73 by Mrs. F.W. Hope.
$ Paralectotype (ZMHB) JAVA Occident., Sukabumi 2000, 1893 H. Fmhstorfer.; Aruanoidea bistriolata
Br. Brunner det. [specimen lacks mid & fore legs].
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 38
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Notes on Necroscia punctata and Necroscia bistriolata
I have only examined the three types in the Berlin collection; I do not know to which species the
other types belong, but I suspect the Javan and Sumatran specimens will be different species.
The OXUM female had been misidentified as punctata but is the same species as the
paralectotype from Sumatra.
The Sumatran female has a praeopercular organ composed of a deep hollow divided by a
narrow, longitudinal ridge, the anterior margin of the operculum is more or less convex and only
very slightly incised to form part of the hollow; on each lateral margin of the hollow there is a
small oval swelling, these lie transverse to the body (fig. 16). The wings reach slightly more than
half way along the 7 th tergite. The cerci are missing from this specimen.
The male was originally pinned with legs pointing in all directions, which is probably why
it had been damaged and repaired in the past. It was in need of further repair so I took the
opportunity to reset the specimen with the legs straightened to reduce the risk of future damage,
and opened a wing. Male body length 55mm; full measurements in table 1: lengths of the
metanotum and median segment are approximate as they are partly obscured by the unopened
wing. The wings reach to the end of the 5 th tergite. Anal segment very short, about one quarter
as long as 9 th tergite (excluding processes); posterior margin almost straight, with a very
distinctive long point on the comers. Cerci circular in cross-section, of almost uniform diameter,
apices rounded. Vomer bispinose (fig. 21).
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 39
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
P.E. Bragg
Table 1. Measur
sments of the
c?
Berlin Suma
9
tran types, in mm
c?
9
Total length
55
68
Fore femur
17.1
Antennae
>45
_
Fore tibia
16.0
_
Head
2.6
3.3
Fore tarsus
8.2
_
Pronotum
2.5
3.5
Mid femur
10.9
13.0
Mesonotum
8.6
10.4
Mid tibia
10.0
11.2
Metanotum
circa 4.1
6.2
Mid tarsus
5.2
_
Median segment
circa 3.3
5.2
Hind femur
15.2
19.1
Fore wing
3.3
6.1
Hind tibia
14.6
_
Hind wing
28
44
Hind tarsus
7.5
-
1mm
PAH ft'
M.
lcm
22
hUitl
Figure 22. N. bistriolata, Javan female.
1mm
Figures 23-25.
23. Apex of abdomen of Javan N.
bistriolata.
24. Praeopercular lobe of Javan N.
bistriolata.
25. Praeopercular lobe of N. punctata from
Singapore.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 40
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Notes on Necroscia punctata and Necroscia bistriolata
The female from Java (figs. 22-24) is very similar to Necroscia punctata (Gray), but there
are quite a number of differences. The differences may be due to geographical variation;
comparison of the males would be necessary to decide if they are distinct species. The coloration
is the same as the Sumatran bistriolata specimens, this is not inconsistent with the variable
coloration of punctata. The praeopercular organ is almost identical to punctata but differs by the
oval lobes being more pointed (figs. 23-24) and by the presence of a slightly raised densely setose
area (sensory?) in the middle of the hollow; the lamina supraanalis is shorter and triangular (fig.
25) rather than rounded; the wings are longer, reaching to the end of the 8 th tergite (compared to
only half way along 7 th ); the body is relatively broad; the apices of the cerci are not as angular as
my punctata specimens. The body length is 70mm.
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Dr. Michael Ohl (ZMHB) for the loan of specimens.
References
Brock, P.D. (1996) Catalogue to stick and leaf-insects (Insecta: Phasmida) associated with
Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Malayan Nature Journal , 49(2): 83-102.
Brock, P.D. (1998) Catalogue of type specimens of stick- and leaf-insects in the
Naturhistoriches Museum Wien ( Insecta : Phasmida ). Naturhistoriches Museum Wien,
Austria.
Brock, P.D. (1999) Stick and leaf insects of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysian
Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur.
Gray, G.R. (1835) Synopsis ofPhasmidae. Longmans, London.
Gunther, K. (1935) Phasmoiden aus Centralborneo. Arkiv for Zoologi, 28A(9): 1-29.
Haan, W. de (1842) Bijdragen tot de Kennis Orthoptera. in C.J. Temminck, Verhandelingen
over de natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche overzeesche Bezittingen. volume 2.
Hausleithner, B. (1991) Eine Phasmidenausbeut aus dem Gebiet des Mount Kinabalu,
Borneo (Phasmatodea). Nachrichten des Entomologischen Vereins Apollo , Frankfurt , N.F.
11(4): 217-236.
Kirby, W.F. (1904) A synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. 1. British Museum (Natural
History), London.
Redtenbacher, J. (1908) Die Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Vol. 3. Wilhelm Engelmann,
Leipzig.
Seow-Choen, F. (2000) An illustrated guide to the stick and leaf insects of Peninsular
Malaysia and Singapore. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.
Westwood, J.O. (1859) Catalogue of the Orthopterous Insects in the Collection of British
Museum. Part I: Phasmidae. British Museum, London.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 41
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Reviews and Abstracts.
Book Review
Dictionaire Etymologique de Noms Scientifiques des Phasmes (Phasmatodea),
by Frederic Poitout. Available as a PDF file on CD, 702 pages [In French], from F. Poitout,
51 me Montaigne, 24450 La Coquille, France. Price €10, payable to “Association Phyllie”.
Reviewed by P.E. Bragg.
This dictionary of
etymology of phasmid names
looks at the origin of all generic
and specific names used for
phasmids. It has been produced
by an etymologist, rather than by
a phasmatologist with access to
the original publications. As a
consequence the information
given is often based solely on the
etymological root of the name
and does not indicate the
reasoning behind the name, thus
megabeast is said to be a
combination of the Greek mega
and English beast : in fact the
name was based on the English
colloquial use of mega (meaning
impressive) rather than the Greek
meaning of mega (large). In
some instances the origin of the name is given as “unknown” although the etymology
may have been explained when the name was published. The introductory section lists
specific names that are based on people and the detailed section gives more details on the
people concerned. However, some of this is pure speculation, for example, leei is said to
named after “Mr Lee, a contemporary English entomologist” - in fact Dr Lee is a
Malaysian Mechanical Engineer! Again, because primary sources have often not been
used, some basic errors have crept in, for example the name hebertii is in the list: it should
be herberti.
Allowing for these limitations, and bearing in mind the majority of names will be
based on the classical meaning of their name, this is a useful tool that will save time for
anyone interested in knowing the origin of a name. The author has asked to be informed
of any mistakes or corrections so that the text can be updated. I understand from the
author that an English version is planned for 2008. Having spent many hours over the
years searching for the origin of names, I am certain that I will find this work useful -
even en lefrangais.
Frederic POITOUT
DICTION NAIRE ETYMOLOGIQUE
DES NOMS SCIENTIFIQUES
DES PHASMES
(PHASMATODEA)
Phasmid Studies, 16 ( 2 ): 42
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
Phasmid Abstracts
The following abstracts briefly summarise articles that have recently appeared in other
publications. Some of these may be available from local libraries. Others will be available in
university or college libraries, many of these libraries allow non-members to use their facilities
for reference purposes free of charge.
The editor of Phasmid Studies would welcome recent abstracts from authors so that they may be
included in forthcoming issues. In the case of publications specialising in phasmids, such as
Phasma , only the longer papers are summarised.
Andersen, D.H., Pertoldi, C., Loeschcke, V. & Scali, V. (2005) Characterization of
microsatellite loci in the stick insects Bacillus rossius rossius, Bacillus rossius redtenbacheri
and Bacillus whitei (Insecta: Phasmatodea). Molecular Ecology Notes, 5(3): 576-578.
Five microsatellite markers were obtained from a dinucleotide enriched genomic library
of the stick insect Bacillus rossius rossius. The markers were tested in three species of
Bacillus. All loci were polymorphic when tested across species. The number of alleles at
each locus was low (maximum four alleles), but different allelic patters were observed among
the species.
Andersen, D.H., Pertoldi, C., Loeschcke, V. & Scali, V. (2006) Developmental instability,
hybridization and heterozygosity in stick insects of the genus Bacillus (Insecta; Phasmatodea)
with different modes of reproduction. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 87(2): 249-
259.
Several genetic factors are assumed to influence developmental instability (DI). One
is the level of heterozygosity, with higher levels often being associated with decreased DI;
another is genetic incompatibility in hybrids, which in several cases has been shown to
increase DI. The genus Bacillus includes species which have both amphigonic heterozygous
reproducing populations and homozygous parthenogenetic reproducing populations ( B .
rossius rossius and B. r. redtenbacheri). Furthermore, Bacillus includes hybrid
parthenogenetic species, which have very high levels of almost fixed heterozygosities ( B .
atticus, B. whitei, B. lynceorum ). We investigated the phenotypic variance (sigma(2)p) and
the impact of hybridization and level of heterozygosity on DI in females from these
populations and species of Bacillus. DI was estimated as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) for
three bilateral traits: the labial palpus, the maxillary palpus and the antenna. For the labial
palpus and maxillary palpus we found, in general, a lower level of DI in the amphigonic
females compared with parthenogenetic counterparts from the same species and with
parthenogenetic females from the three hybrid species. A higher DI of the antenna was found
in the hybrid species when compared with both parthenogenetic and amphigonic populations
of the nonhybrid species, suggesting that the genes controlling antenna development are
located on the sex chromosomes. The development of the investigated bilateral characters in
the hybrid species seemed to be affected more by factors relating to genetic incompatibilities
as a consequence of hybridization than by the stabilizing force of increased heterozygosity.
Only few differences in sigma(2)p were observed, supporting the possibility that the observed
differences in DI are related mainly to internal genetic factors.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 43
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
Baum, E., Dressier, C. & Beutel, R.G. (2007) Head structures of Karoophasma sp
(Hexapoda, Mantophasmatodea) with phylogenetic implications. Journal of Zoological
Systematics and Evolutionary Research , 45(2): 104-119.
External and internal head structures of adults of Karoophasma sp. were examined and
described. The results are compared with conditions found in other representatives of
Mantophasmatodea and members of other lower neopteran groups. The X-shaped apodeme
of the frons, the unpigmented oval area enclosed by apical branches of the anterior tentorial
arms, the oval sclerotisation at the base of the labrum, the sclerotized rounded apical part of
the galea, and the loss of M. labroepipharyngalis are probably autapomorphic for
Mantophasmatodea. Plesiomorphic features (groundplan of Neoptera) are the orthognathous
condition, the absence of parietal ridges, the absence of a gula, the absence of a 'perforation of
the corpotentorium', the multisegmented antennae inserted between the compound eyes, the
general arrangement of the mouthparts, the shape and composition of the maxillae and
labium, and the nearly complete set of muscles. The presence of a transverse muscle
connecting the antennal ampullae is a potential synapomorphy of Orthoptera, Phasmatodea
and Dictyoptera. Character states suggesting affinities with Grylloblattodea are the absence
of ocelli, the elongation of the corpotentorium, and the very similar mandibles with widely
separated bases and completely reduced molae. Whether predacious habits are a
synapomorphic feature of Mantophasmatodea and Grylloblattodea is uncertain. The retained
orthognathous condition in Mantophasmatodea and Mantodea is likely related with different
specialized preying techniques in both groups, i.e. rapid forward pushes of the head-prothorax
complex, and the use of raptorial legs, respectively.
Baum, E., Hertel, W. & Beutel, R.G. (2007) Head capsule, chephalic central nervous
system and head circulatory system of an aberrant orthopteran, Prosarthria teretrirostris
(Caelifera, Hexapoda). Zoology (Jena), 110(2): 147-160.
The head capsule, the circulatory system and the central nervous system of the head of
Prosarthria teretrirostris (Proscopiidae) is described in detail, with special consideration of
modifications resulting from the aberrant head shape. The transformations of the head are
completely different from those found in phasmatodeans, which are also characterised by twig
mimesis. The circulatory system is distinctly modified. A hitherto undescribed additional
structure in the posterior head region very likely functions as a pulsatile organ. The cephalic
central nervous system is strongly elongated, with changes in the position of the
suboesophageal ganglion, the corpora cardiaca and the course of the nervus mandibularis.
Three-dimensional reconstructions of these two organ systems in combination with the
pharynx were made using Alias (R) Maya 6.0 (TM) software. Comparisons with other
representatives of Caelifera suggest a clade comprising Proscopiidae and Morabinae. The
presence of a transverse muscle connecting the antennal ampullae in Prosarthria shows that
this structure likely belongs to the groundplan of Orthoptera, even though it is missing in
different representatives of this group. The transverse ampullary muscle is a potential
synapomorphy of Orthoptera, Phasmatodea and Dictyoptera.
Beutel, Rolf.G. & Gorb, S.N. (2006) A revised interpretation of the evolution of attachment
structures in Hexapoda with special emphasis on Mantophasmatodea. Arthropod Systematics
and Phylogeny, 64(1): 3-25.
Characters of hexapod attachment structures were analysed cladistically together with
110 additional morphological characters of immatures and adults. The results suggest the
monophyly of Hexapoda, Ellipura, Diplura + Ectognatha, and Dicondylia. Lepidothrichidae is
either the sister group of the remaining Dicondylia or part of a clade Zygentoma. Odonata is
the sister group of Neoptera, and Plecoptera possibly the sister group of the remaining
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 44
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
neopteran orders. Pliconeoptera are paraphyletic. Embioptera were placed as sistergroup of a
clade comprising the remaining Pliconeoptera, Paraneoptera and Endopterygota. The
branching pattern of the majority of the "lower neopteran" groups is Dermaptera +
((Dictyoptera + (Orthoptera + Phasmatodea)) + (Grylloblattodea + Mantophasmatodea)). The
sister group relationship between Mantophasmatodea and Grylloblattodea is only weakly
supported. Zoraptera were placed as sister group of Acercaria (Paraneoptera). The
monophyly of Psocodea and Hemiptera was confirmed. Paraneoptera are the sister group of
Endopterygota. Strepsiptera were placed as sister taxon to the remaining Endopterygota.
Coleoptera + Neuropterida is weakly supported statistically. They are placed as sister group
of Hymenoptera, + (Amphiesmenoptera + Antliophora). The interrelation ships within
Antliophora remain uncertain. Attachment devices that have evolved in an apterygote lineage
are the tufts of curved hairs on the apical tarsus of archaeognathan species (scopulae).
Attachment pads were absent in the groundplan of Pterygota. The arolium is likely a derived
groundplan feature of Neoptera, with secondary loss in several groups. It is usually smooth
on its surface. The hairy surface of the greatly enlarged arolium and the hairy surface of the
euplantulae are autapomorphies of Mantophasmatodea. Pad-like euplantulae are a potential
synapomorphy of the clade comprising Dictyoptera, Phasmatodea, Orthoptera,
Grylloblattodea (strongly reduced in size) and Mantophasmatodea. Hairy or smooth pulvilli
have evolved several times independently. Hairy soles of tarsomeres are present in
Embioptera, Dermaptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera, Coleoptera (groundplan) and
Stylopidia (absent in the groundplan of Strepsiptera). The phylogenetic interpretation of this
character is ambiguous. An eversible pretarsal vesicle is autapomorphic for Thysanoptera and
a fossula spongiosa for Piratinae (Reduviidae). An extended empodium occurs in
Nematocera excl. Tipulomorpha and in Tabanoidea. The presence of hairy pulvilli and the
loss of the arolium are potential apomorphies of Diptera excl. Tipulomorpha. Plantar lobes
are a derived groundplan feature of Hymenoptera and partly or completely reduced in
Apocrita.
Bliithgen, N. & Metzner, A. (2007) Contrasting leaf age preferences of specialist and
generalist stick insects (Phasmida). Oikos, 116(1 1): 1853-1862.
Specialist and generalist herbivores may select for different types of plant defences or
for different distribution of defences within a plant: e.g. between early and late stages of leaf
maturation. The differentiation of age-specific defences is particularly pronounced in tropical
rain forests where young leaves are often produced year-round, but effects on feeding choices
of tropical herbivores are largely unknown. We compared feeding preferences of four species
of tropical stick insects (Phasmida) between young or old leaves in dual choice experiments.
Two phasmid species ( Haaniella echinata , Lonchodes cultratolobatus ) were highly
polyphagous generalists. The other two species were classified as specialists, with Asceles
margaritatus feeding mainly on Mallotus floribundus and M. miquelianus (Euphorbiaceae)
and Dinophasma ruficornis mainly on Leea indica (Leeaceae) at the study site. Both
specialists significantly preferred young leaves over old leaves of their respective host plants.
In contrast, both generalists significantly preferred old leaves of the hosts of the specialist A.
margaritatus . To reveal whether differential feeding choices were triggered by foliar
chemistry, extracts (water, acetone, and hexane) of young leaves were applied to discs from
old leaves and vice versa , and subjected to similar choice tests. For both Mallotus species,
experimental results suggest that four chemical functions act in concert: (1) young leaves
contain deterrents against generalists and (2) stimulants for specialists. Moreover, (3) old
leaves contain deterrents against specialists and (4) stimulants for generalists. Deterrent
compounds in young and old leaves, respectively, appeared in extracts using different
solvents, suggesting the activity of multiple classes of secondary metabolites. Our study thus
Phasmid Studies , 16(2): 45
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
reveals that plant defences and herbivore offences are partly structured by leaf ontogeny and
herbivore specialisation in a tropical plant-herbivore system.
Boucher, S. & Varady-Szabo, H. (2005) Effects of different diets on the survival, longevity
and growth rate of the Annam stick insect, Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea:
Phasmatidae). Journal of Orthoptera Research , 14(1): 115-118.
The effects of different food plants (spinach, carrots, organic and non-organic lettuce,
defrosted frozen oak leaves) on the longevity, growth rate and survival of the Annam stick
insect Medauroidea extradentata (Brunner von Wattenwyl) were studied. Among the food
plants tested, organic lettuce and defrosted oak leaves were the best food alternative during
winter time for maintaining live cultures of M. extradentata.
Brock, P.D. & Hasenpusch, J. (2005) Studies on the Australian stick-insect genus Onchestus
Stal (Phasmida: Phasmatidae). Journal of Orthoptera Research , 14(1): 17-22.
Studies on the rarely reported Australian genus Onchestus have revealed a confusing
situation where only one of the 4 species currently included, belongs to the genus. A new
species from north Queensland, Onchestus rentzi , is described and figured, including the egg.
Keys are provided.
Brock, P.D. & Hasenpusch J. (2007) Studies on the Australian stick insects (Phasmida),
including a checklist of species and bibliography. Zootaxa, 1570: 1-84.
The Australian phasmid fauna has been revised prior to publication of a field guide by
the same authors. Six new genera are described: Austrosipyloidea Brock & Hasenpusch,
Cornicandovia Hasenpusch & Brock, Davidrentzia Brock & Hasenpusch, Micropodacanthus
Brock & Hasenpusch, Paratropidoderus Brock & Hasenpusch and Spinosipyloidea
Hasenpusch & Brock. Sixteen new species from various parts of Australia are described and
figured: Candovia robinsoni Brock & Hasenpusch, Rhamphosipyloidea palumensis
Hasenpusch & Brock, Scionecra milledgei Hasenpusch & Brock, Sipyloidea brevicerci
Hasenpusch & Brock, Sipyloidea garradungensis Hasenpusch & Brock, Sipyloidea larryi
Hasenpusch & Brock, Sipyloidea lewisensis Hasenpusch & Brock, Sipyloidea rentzi Brock &
Hasenpusch, Sipyloidea whitei Brock & Hasenpusch, Spinosipyloidea doddi Hasenpusch &
Brock [all Necrosciinae], Pachymorpha spinosa Brock & Hasenpusch [Pachymorphinae],
Davidrentzia valida Brock & Hasenpusch [Platycraninae], Micropodacanthus moulds i Brock
& Hasenpusch, Micropodacanthus sztrakai Brock & Hasenpusch, Paratropidoderus spinosus
Brock & Hasenpusch and Podacanthus keyi Brock & Hasenpusch [Tropidoderinae]. A
number of new combinations are proposed, new synonyms and incorrect synonymy corrected
following detailed examination of type and other material: 1. (Lonchodinae): Austrocarausius
Brock, 2000: Carausius macerrimus Brunner, 1907 is a new synonym of Austrocarausius
nigropunctatus (Kirby, 1896). Denhama Werner, 1912: D. austrocarinata (Otte & Brock,
2005), D. longiceps (Brunner, 1907), D. striata (Sjostedt, 1918) and D. eutrachelia
(Westwood, 1859) are transferred from Hyrtacus Stal, 1875, the latter species also removed
from synonymy with Hyrtacus coenosa (Gray, 1833). D. gracilis (Sjostedt, 1918), a former
Marcenia species, is also transferred. Hyrtacus Stal, 1875 (= Marcenia Sjostedt, 1918
syn.n.): H. caurus (Tepper, 1905) comb.n. transferred from Lonchodes Gray, 1835 (three new
synonyms also reported for this species: Bacillus peristhenellus Tepper, 1905, Hyrtacus
cunctatrix (Sjostedt, 1918) and Hyrtacus nigro granulosus Sjostedt, 1918). Marcenia frenchi
(Wood-Mason, 1877) is a new synonym of Hyrtacus tuberculatus Stal, 1875. 2.
(Necrosciinae): Austrosipyloidea Brock & Hasenpusch, gen.n.: A. carterus (Westwood, 1859)
comb.n., transferred from Sipyloidea Brunner, 1893 (= Sipyloidea filiformis Redtenbacher,
1908 syn.n.). Candovia Stal, 1875 is removed from synonymy with Hyrtacus , along with the
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type species, C. coenosa. This has resulted in all former Australian species placed in
Parasipyloidea Redtenbacher, 1908 being transferred to Candovia i.e. C. aberrata (Brunner,
1907) comb.n., C. annulata (Brunner, 1907) comb.n., C. granulosa (Brunner, 1907) comb.n.,
C. pallida (Sjostedt, 1918), comb.n., C. spurcata (Brunner, 1907) comb.n. and C. strumosa
(Redtenbacher, 1908) comb.n. In addition, C. evoneobertii (Zompro & Adis, 2001) comb.n.
and C. peridromes (Westwood, 1859) comb.n. (including its new synonyms Clitarchus
longipes Brunner, 1907, Bacunculus tener Brunner, 1907 and E. cercatus (Redtenbacher,
1908) ) are transferred from Echetlus Stal, 1875. Cornicandovia Hasenpusch & Brock gen n.:
C. australica (Redtenbacher, 1908) comb.n. Sipyloidea Brunner, 1893: S. bella (Tepper,
1905) comb.n. (new synonym S. ovabdita Rentz & John, 1987) is transferred from Necroscia
Serville, 1838, S. caeca Sjostedt, 1918 rev.stat., is removed from synonymy with Sipyloidea
carterus (Westwood, 1859). Rhamphosipyloidea Redtenbacher, 1908: R. queenslandica
(Sjostedt, 1918) comb.n. is transferred from Sipyloidea , also removed from synonymy with
carterus. 3. (Pachymorphinae): Pachymorpha Gray, 1835: P. pasithoe (Westwood, 1859) is a
new synonym of P. simplicipes Serville, 1838. 4. (Eurycanthinae). Eurycantha Boisduval,
1835: E. sifia (Westwood, 1859) is a new synonym of E. calcarata Lucas, 1870. 5.
(Phasmatinae): Vetilia Stal, 1875 is a new synonym of Acrophylla Gray, 1835, resulting in the
transfer of these species to Acrophylla : A. enceladus (Gray, 1835) comb.n. and A. thoon (Stal,
1875) comb.n. Vetilia ligia Redtenbacher, 1908 is a new synonym of Acrophylla wuelfingi
Redtenbacher, 1908. A. paula (Tepper, 1905) and A. aliena Redtenbacher, 1908 are new
synonyms of A. nubilosa Tepper, 1905. A. caprella (Westwood, 1859) comb.n. is transferred
from Ctenomorpha Gray, 1833. Anchiale Stal, 1875 (= Ctenomorphodes Karny, 1923 syn.n.),
resulting in the transfer of A. briareus (Gray, 1834) comb.n. and A. tessulata (Gray, 1835)
which is renamed Anchiale austrotessulata n.nov., as tessulata Gray is preoccupied by
Anchiale tessulata (Goeze, 1778). Austro clonistria Redtenbacher, 1908 is a new synonym of
Arphax Stal, 1875, as A. serrulata Redtenbacher, 1908) is a new synonym of Arphax
dolomedes (Westwood, 1859). Ctenomorpha Gray, 1833: Paractenomorpha macrotegmus
(Tepper, 1887) is confirmed as a synonym of Ctenomorpha marginipennis Gray, 1833.
Hermarchus Stal, 1875: H. polynesicus Redtenbacher, 1908 is a new synonym of H. insignis
(Kaup, 1871). Paronchestus Redtenbacher, 1908: P. cornutus (Tepper, 1905) comb.n. is
transferred from Acrophylla Gray, 1835 and P. pasimachus (Westwood, 1859) from
Onchestus Stal, 1875. 6. (Platycraninae): Megacrania batesii (Kirby, 1896) is removed from
synonymy with Megacrania alpheus (Westwood, 1859). 7. (Tropidoderinae): Didymuria
Kirby 1904: D. virginea Stal, 1875 is removed from synonymy with D. violescens (Leach,
1814). Lysicles Stal, 1877: L. periphanes (Westwood, 1859) comb.n. is transferred from
Echetlus Stal, 1875. Tropidoderus Gray 1835: T. michaelseni Werner, 1912 is removed from
synonymy with T. childrenii (Gray, 1833). 8. (Xeroderinae): Cooktownia Sjostedt, 1918
becomes a new synonym of Xeroderus Gray, 1835, as Cooktownia plana Sjostedt, 1918 is a
new synonym of Xeroderus kirbii Gray, 1835. Lectotypes are designated for Clitarchus
longipes Brunner, 1907, Sipyloidea filiformis Redtenbacher, 1908 and Vetilia ligula
Redtenbacher, 1908.
As a result of this work, there are now 104 Australian species (+ 1 subspecies) and in
order to facilitate further research on these insects, an updated checklist is provided, also a
detailed bibliography.
Brock, P.D. & Okada, M. (2005) Taxonomic notes on Pylaemenes Stal 1875 (Phasmida:
Heteropterygidae: Dataminae), including the description of the male of P. guangxiensis (Bi &
Li, 1994). Journal of Orthoptera Research, 14(1): 23-26.
The male of Pylaemenes guangxiensis (Bi & Li, 1994) is described and its distribution
range extended to Japan and Taiwan. Recent confusion regarding Pylaemenes species is
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discussed and a corrected list of species included.
Biickmann, D. & Maisch, A. (2006) Kunstfutter fur die Stabheuschrecke Carausius morosus
and der EinfluB des Nahrungsangebotes auf Entwicklung and Fertilitat (Phasmida:
Phasmatidae). Entomologia Generalis , 28(4): 297-310. [in German]
The Stick Insect Carausius morosus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1908) serves as a year
over accessible object for many different investigations. Especially studies on its metabolism
and development require a defined and constant nutrition. In investigations on its
morphological colour change (Biickmann, 1977, 1979) relatively large variations of
developmental data were observed, possibly depending on seasonal changes in the plant food.
In order to exclude these and standardize the rearing conditions, a defined diet was developed
and the influence of its composition on the development and fecundity investigated.
Containing a small addition of freeze-dried and powdered leaf material of the food plant, ivy,
it proved to be biologically equal to the natural food leaves for all the larval development.
Most important is the way the food is presented. The population density, the number of
animals which can be kept together, is limited by the accessibility of edges of the food leaves,
as a consequence of the feeding behaviour of the species. Therefore an application of the food
in the shape of 'artificial leaves' has been developed. For the adults some more content of
tryptophane and of plant extract to the diet is required in order to increase the fertility. The
extract may partially but not entirely be replaced by cellulose serving as roughage. In larvae,
it could even fully be replaced by cellulose, however, only with considerable developmental
retardation.
Camousseight, A. (2005) La contribucion entomologica de R.A. Philippi entre 1859 y 1875 y
el estado actual de sus especies. [The entomological contribution of R.A. Philippi between
1859 and 1875 with current status of its species]. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
Boletin (Santiago), 54: 81-106.
A review of thirty entomological papers from Chile published by R.A. Philippi was
carried out not including the repeated binomials names. A total of 807 new species were
found; according to the available bibliography 534 species are considered valid, 218 have
been synonymised and 55 remain as incertae sedis.
Carotti, G. (2006) Ortotteroidei del Parco Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi e localita limitrofe
(Blattaria, Mantodea, Isoptera, Orthoptera, Phasmatodea, Dermaptera). [Orthopteroid insects
of the Gola della rossa and Frasassi park and surrounding localities (Blattaria, Mantodea,
Isoptera, Orthoptera, Phasmatodea, Dermaptera)]. Bollettino della Societa Entomologica
Italiana, 138(2): 115-135. [in Italian].
The results of a faunistic and ecological study of the Orthopteroid insects of Gola della
Rossa and Frasassi Park (Marche, Central Italy) are given. 61 species were found: 4 Blattaria,
2 Mantodea, 1 Isoptera, 49 Orthoptera, 1 Phasmatodea, 4 Dermaptera. Many are the species
of particular interest, i.e. Empusa pennata (Thunberg, 1815), Acrometopa macropoda
(Burmeister, 1838), Eupholidoptera danconai La Greca, 1959, Saga pedo (Papas, 1771),
Aeropus sibiricus sibiricus (Linnaeus, 1767), Pseudochelidura orsinii (Gene, 1833),
Forficula obtusangula Krauss, 1904. For each species the general and Italian distribution is
given and few notes on some interesting species are reported.
Cizek, L. (2005) Diet composition and body size in insect herbivores: why do small species
prefer young leaves? European Journal of Entomology , 102(4): 675-681.
The hypothesis that small body size is correlated with preference for young leaves was
tested in a community of leaf-chewing insect herbivores feeding on Ficus wassa in a humid
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tropical forest in Papua New Guinea. Feeding experiments on 48 species of herbivorous
insects revealed a negative correlation between body size and a preference for feeding on
young leaves. While small species preferred young leaves, large species showed no
preferences, or preferred young leaves only slightly. This relationship was found for the
entire leaf-chewing community, as well as for many of the constituent taxa on several
taxonomic levels, from orders to genera. Taxonomic position of a species played little role in
determining its preferences. It is proposed that higher toughness and lower nutrient content
may act as complementary defences, which prevent small insects from feeding on mature
foliage. While the low nutrient content of mature leaves may affect smaller herbivores due to
their relatively higher metabolic rate and lower digestion efficiency, their toughness
complicates feeding mechanically and may prevent the compensatory feeding necessary to
offset the low nutritive value of mature leaves.
Cliquennois, N. & Brock, P.D. (2004) Phasmids of Mauritius: Mauritiophasma n.gen.,
Monoiognosis n.gen., Epicharmus Stal, 1875 and discussion on their remarkable eggs
(Phasmatodea ). Journal of Orthopter a Research, 13(1): 1-13.
Mauritiophasma n. gen. (Phasmatidae: Acanthomimini), which includes the sole species
M. motalai n.sp., is described; Mauritiophasma is close to the genus Anophelepis Westwood
1859, which is transferred to the tribe Acanthomimini. Another genus, Monoiognosis n.gen.
(Anareolatae, incertae sedis ), is described; it includes 2 species: M. bipunctata n sp. (type
species) and M. spinosa n.sp. Epicharmus guerinii (Phasmatidae: Xeroderinae) is
synonymised with E. marchali. All these taxa are endemic to Mauritius at the generic level.
They all feature eggs glued to a support by an operculum, a character new for Phasmatodea,
believed to be the result of convergent evolution.
Conle, O.V., Hennemann, F.H. & Perez-Gelabert, D.E. (2006) Studies on neotropical
Phasmatodea III: A new species of the genus Anisomorpha Gray, 1835 (Phasmatodea :
Pseudophasmatidae : Pseudophasmatinae) from Hispaniola. Proceedings of the
Entomological Society of Washington, 108(4): 885-891.
Anisomorpha clara n.sp. from Hispaniola is described and illustrated from both sexes. It
is the first record of true Anisomorpha Gray, 1835, in the Greater Antilles.
Dallai, R., Machida, R., Jintsu, Y., Frati, F. & Lupetti, P. (2007) The sperm structure of
Embioptera (Insecta) and phylogenetic considerations. Zoomorphology, 126(1): 53-59.
The sperm structure of two species of Embioptera, Embia savignyi Westwood 1837 and
Aposthonia japonica (Okajima 1926), was studied. Spermatozoa of both species exhibit a
monolayered acrosome and a layer of material surrounding the sperm cells for most of their
length. The presence of a 9+9+2 axoneme provided with accessory microtubules with 16
protofilaments, two accessory bodies and two crystallized mitochondrial derivatives are
characters shared with other polyneopteran taxa. The supposed close relationship between
Embioptera and Phasmatodea is not supported by characters of the sperm ultrastructure.
Edwards, W., Seymour, J., Pritchard, K. & Brock, P. (2005) Egg production across a 40-
week period in the phasmid Sipyloidea sp (Diapheromeridae) from a tropical rain forest, north
Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of Entomology, 44(4): 364-368.
In this study we report the results from the first long-term (40 weeks) study of stick-
insect fecundity and distribution under natural conditions of which we are aware. We used
the number of eggs falling into 72 x 0.5m 2 traps to ask: 'Was egg production in Sipyloidea sp.
uniform across the sample period'? and 'Was there evidence of host plant species preference
or avoidance'? We collected a total of 213 Sipyloidea sp. eggs. The number of eggs caught
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per week was not uniform and an exponential decay model was the best-fit relationship
between egg production and time, indicative of a steep decline from high to low (but
continuous) egg production across the study period. Continuous egg production differs from
other insect species in tropical areas that often show distinct seasonal differences between wet
and dry seasons, timed to leaf production in host plants. The distribution of eggs within traps
was aggregated, and more traps than expected from Poisson probabilities received no eggs, or
six or more eggs. The concentration of eggs within particular traps was not related to the
identity of canopy plant species, however. We suggest that continuous egg production in
Sipyloidea sp. may be related to the wider range of plant species available as food resources
for the polyphagous Sipyloidea , compared with other tropical insect species.
Gade, G., Marco, H.G., Simek, P. & Marais, E. (2005) The newly discovered insect order
Mantophasmatodea contains a novel member of the adipokinetic hormone family of peptides.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 330(2): 598-603.
A novel member of the AKH/RPCH family of peptides has been identified from the
corpus cardiacum of an, as yet, unidentified species of the newly discovered insect order
Mantophasmatodea from Namibia. The primary sequence of the peptide, which is denoted
Manto-CC, was deduced from multiple MSN electrospray mass data to be an octapeptide:
pGlu-Val-Asn-Plie-Ser-ProGly-Trp amide. Synthetic Manto-CC co-elutes on reversed-phase
HPLC with the natural peptide from the gland of the insect. Interestingly, Manto-CC is
structurally very closely related (only one point mutation) to the AKH/RPCH peptides
previously identified in mostly more basal insect taxa (Odonata, Blattodea, and Ensifera) and
in Crustacea, the sister group of insects, whereas larger structural differences occur with
peptides from Mantodea and Phasmatodea, which are thought to be close relatives of
Mantophasmatodea. Functionally, Manto-CC may be employed to activate glycogen
phosphorylase to mobilize carbohydrates.
Jander, J.P. & Wendler, G. (2005) Optomotor responses and descending visual interneurons
in stick insects (Phasmida: Phasmatidae). Entomologia Generalis, 27(3-4): 239-248.
Individuals of the stick insect species Carausius morosus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1908
show optomotor reactions to moving patterns when walking and at rest. The information
about direction and speed of the pattern is conveyed by descending visual interneurons to the
thoracic ganglia. These interneurons are spontaneously active and increase or decrease their
spike rate depending upon pattern speed and direction. Five types of such interneurons were
identified. They are candidates for controlling the leg motor output. Their connection to a
leg protractor motoneuron is discussed. This motoneuron is also spontaneously active and is
modulated by visual patterns in the same manner as one type of visual interneurons.
Jarvis, K.J., Haas, F. & Whiting, M.F. (2005) Phylogeny of earwigs (Insecta: Dermaptera)
based on molecular and morphological evidence: reconsidering the classification of
Dermaptera. Systematic Entomology, 30(3): 442-453.
Dermaptera (earwigs) is a cosmopolitan order of insects, the phylogenetic relationships
of which are poorly understood. The phylogeny of Dermaptera was inferred from large
subunit ribosomal (28 S), small subunit ribosomal (18S), histone-3 (H3) nuclear DNA
sequences, and forty-three morphological characters. Sequence data were collected for thirty-
two earwig exemplar taxa representing eight families in two suborders: Hemimeridae
(suborder Hemimerina); Pygidicranidae, Anisolabididae, Fabiduridae, Apachyidae,
Spongiphoridae, Chelisochidae and Forficulidae (suborder Forficulina). Eighteen taxa from
ten additional orders were also included, representing Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Orthoptera,
Phasmida, Embiidina, Mantodea, Isoptera, Blattaria, Grylloblattodea and Zoraptera. These
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data were analysed via direct optimization in POY under a range of gap and substitution
values to test the sensitivity of the data to variations in parameter values. These results
indicate that the epizoic Hemimerus is not sister to the remaining Dermaptera, but rather
nested as sister to Forficulidae + Chelisochidae. These analyses support the paraphyly of
Pygidicranidae and Spongiphoridae and the monophyly of Chelisochidae, Forficulidae,
Anisolabididae and Labiduridae.
Krause, A.F. & Duerr, V. (2004) Tactile efficiency of insect antennae with two hinge joints.
Biological Cybernetics, 91(3): 168-181.
Antennae are the main organs of the arthropod tactile sense. In contrast to other
senses that are capable of retrieving spatial information, e.g. vision, spatial sampling of tactile
information requires active movement of the sense organ. For a quantitative analysis of basic
principles of active tactile sensing, we use a generic model of arbitrary antennae with two
hinge joints (re volute joints). This kind of antenna is typical for Orthoptera and Phasmatodea,
i.e. insect orders that contain model species for the study of antennal movements, including
cricket, locust and stick insect. First, we analyse the significance of morphological properties
on workspace and sampling acuity. It is shown how joint axis orientation determines areas
out of reach while affecting acuity in the areas within reach. Second, we assume a parametric
set of movement strategies, based on empirical data on the stick insect Carausius morosus,
and investigate the role of each strategy parameter on tactile sampling performance. A
stochastic environment is used to measure sampling density, and a viscous friction model is
assumed to introduce energy consumption and, thus, a measure of tactile efficiency. Up to a
saturation level, sampling density is proportional to the range or frequency of joint angle
modulation. The effect of phase shift is strong if joint angle modulation frequencies are
equal, but diminishes for other frequency ratios. Speed of forward progression influences the
optimal choice of movement strategy. Finally, for an analysis of environmental effects on
tactile performance, we show how efficiency depends on predominant edge direction. For
example, with slanted and non- orthogonal joint axis orientations, as present in the stick insect,
the optimal sampling strategy is less sensitive to a change from horizontal to vertical edge
predominance than with orthogonal and non- slanted joint axes, as present in a cricket.
La Brijn, R. (2007) Remus en Romulus = “Duplo”, de tweekoppige Carausius morosus (deel 3).
Phasma, 17(66): 8-9. [In Dutch].
Part three of an article on a two-headed Carausius morosus hatched in the Dutch zoo Artis
in 1963.
Lelong, P. & Langlois, F. (2005) Contribution a la connaissance des Phasmatodea de la
Martinique. [Contribution to the knowledge of Phasmatodea of Martinique]. Bulletin de la
Societe Entomologique de France , 110(3): 259-272 [in French]
A mission of inventory during two weeks allowed us to update the knowledge of
Phasmatodea of Martinique. Five species are described, among them one is new.
Identification keys for adults and eggs are proposed and a repartition map of the species is
also exposed.
Lit, I.L. & Eusebio, O.L. (2005) Two new species of Philippine stick insects of the genus
Trachyaretaon Rehn and Rehn (Phasmatodea: Heteropterygidae: Obrimini). Asia Life
Sciences, 14(1): 75-84.
Two new species belonging to the genus Trachyaretaon Rehn and Rehn are described,
namely, T. carmelae Lit & Eusebio, n.sp. from Dalupiri Island in the Babuyan Islands,
Northern Luzon and T. manobo Lit & Eusebio, n.sp. from Mount Apo on Mindanao Island.
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Males and females as well as eggs of both species are described. Both species are, so far as
known, narrow endemics being restricted to their type localities. These two new species
bring the number of known Philippine Trachyaretaon species to four, including the type-
species T. echinatus (Stal) and the recently described T. gatla Zompro. A key to the adults of
known Trachyaretaon species is provided.
Lit, I.L. & Eusebio, O.L. (2005) A list of Philippine stick-insects of the genus Tisamenus
Stal 1875 (Phasmatodea: Heteropterygidae: Eubulidini) with descriptions of two new species
from Luzon Island. Asia Life Sciences, 14(2): 207-215.
Two new species of stick- insects are described under the Philippine endemic genus
Tisamenus Stal, 1875. These are Tisamenus kalahani Lit and Eusebio n.sp. from the Kalahan
ancestral domain in Nueva Vizcaya, and Tisamenus summaleonilae Lit and Eusebio n.sp.
from Isabela Province. The discovery of these two species brings the total number of known
Tisamenus species to 17. These are all listed, noting their original generic assignments and
presently known distribution. Biogeographically, most of the species are from the Greater
Luzon region, and nearly all may be presently regarded as narrow endemics. However, these
facts may reflect the lack of comprehensive studies and the need for more intensive collection
rather than the genus being largely Luzonian in its natural range.
Lit, I.L. & Eusebio, O.L. (2006) A new species of stick insect of the Philippine endemic
genus Euobrimus Rehn & Rehn 1939 (Phasmatodea: Heteropterygidae: Obrimini). Asia Life
Sciences , 15(1): 99-105.
The status of the Philippine endemic stick insect genus Euobrimus Rehn & Rehn, 1939
is briefly reviewed and an updated list of included species is provided. A new species,
Euobrimus stephenreyesi Lit & Eusebio from Surigao del Sur Province, Mindanao Island, is
described bringing the total number of known species to eight. Notes and other comments on
the diagnostic characters, biogeography and some undetermined forms allied to the type
species, E. atherura Rehn & Rehn 1939, are also given.
Hennemann, F.H. & Conle, O.V. (2007) Studies on Neotropical Phasmatodea IV.
Jeremiodes , gen. nov., a new genus of the subfamily Cladomorphinae, and the description of
two new species - (Insecta, Phasmatodea, Cladomorphinae, Cladomorphini). Spixiana , 30(1):
1 - 11 .
The new genus Jeremiodes n.gen. is established with J. guianensis n.sp. designated as
the type-species. The new genus includes three species, two of which are described as new.
Jeremiodes guianensis n.sp. from Trench Guiana is described and illustrated from both sexes.
Jeremiodes bolivianus n.sp. from the Chapare Province of Bolivia is described and illustrated
from the males only. Bacteria pachycerca Redtenbacher, 1908 from SE-Peru is transferred to
Jeremiodes (comb. nov.). Bacteria pichisina Giglio-Tos, 1910 was described from a single
female from eastern Peru and has proven to be the opposite sex of B. pachycerca
Redtenbacher, 1908 (syn. nov.).
Maginnis, T.L. & Maginnis, L.P. (2007) Leg autotomy and regeneration in a population of
Didymuria violescens (Leach) (Phasmatodea : Phasmatidae) in New South Wales, Australia.
Australian Entomologist, 34(1): 27-32.
A population of the spurlegged phasmatid, Didymuria violescens (Leach), was surveyed
in New South Wales, Australia, in order to determine rates of leg autotomy and regeneration
in natural environments. Autotomy was common during all instars, and rates of regeneration
ranged from similar to 10% in nymphs to similar to 25% in adults. Autotomy and/or
regeneration also appeared to negatively affect survivorship.
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Marais, E., Klok, C.J., Terblanche, J.S. & Chown, S.L. (2005) Insect gas exchange
patterns: a phylogenetic perspective. Journal of Experimental Biology, 208(23): 4495-4507.
Most investigations of insect gas exchange patterns and the hypotheses proposed to
account for their evolution have been based either on small-scale, manipulative experiments,
or comparisons of a few closely related species. Despite their potential utility, no explicit,
phylogeny-based, broad-scale comparative studies of the evolution of gas exchange in insects
have been undertaken. This may be due partly to the preponderance of information for the
endopterygotes, and its scarcity for the apterygotes and exopterygotes. Here we undertake
such a broad-scale study. Information on gas exchange patterns for the large majority of
insects examined to date (eight orders, 99 species) is compiled, and new information on 19
exemplar species from a further ten orders, not previously represented in the literature
(Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Mantodea, Mantophasmatodea,
Phasmatodea, Dermaptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera), is provided. These data are then used in
a formal, phylogeny-based parsimony analysis of the evolution of gas exchange patterns at
the order level. Cyclic gas exchange is likely to be the ancestral gas exchange pattern at rest
(recognizing that active individuals typically show continuous gas exchange), and
discontinuous gas exchange probably originated independently a minimum of five times in
the Insecta.
Morgan-Richards, M. & Trewick, S.A. (2005) Hybrid origin of a parthenogenetic genus?
Molecular-Ecology, 14(7): 2133-2142.
The origin of the obligate-parthenogenetic New Zealand stick insect genus Acanthoxyla
was investigated using cytogenetics and sequencing of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
Little mitochondrial DNA sequence variation (COI-II) was found among seven species of the
genus Acanthoxyla and we found no evidence for monophyly of the morphologically
distinguished lineages. In contrast, two distinct clades of nuclear sequence (ITS) were
obtained, one is restricted to the genus Acanthoxyla , while the other includes sequences
obtained from its sister genus Clitarchus. Although Acanthoxyla appears to be diploid (2n =
36-38), it has two ill-matched chromosome pairs. We hypothesize that two or more
hybridization events involving the parental sexual species Clitarchus hookeri and an
unknown taxon probably resulted in the formation of the parthenogenetic genus Acanthoxyla.
However, the karyotype of Acanthoxyla bears little resemblance to the karyotype of the
putative paternal species C. hookeri so the exact nature of Acanthoxyla remains in question.
Mujagic, S., Krause, A.F. & Duerr, V. (2007) Slanted joint axes of the stick insect antenna:
an adaptation to tactile acuity. Naturwissenschaften, 94(4): 313-318.
Like many flightless, obligatory walking insects, the stick insect Carausius morosus
makes intensive use of active antennal movements for tactile near range exploration and
orientation. The antennal joints of C. morosus have a peculiar oblique and non-orthogonal
joint axis arrangement. Moreover, this arrangement is known to differ from that in crickets
(Ensifera), locusts (Caelifera) and cockroaches (Blattodea), all of which have an orthogonal
joint axis arrangement. Our hypothesis was that the situation found in C. morosus represents
an important evolutionary trait of the order of stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea). If this
was true, it should be common to other species of the Phasmatodea. The objective of this
comparative study was to resolve this question. We have measured the joint axis orientation
of the head-scape and scape-pedicel joints along with other parameters that affect the tactile
efficiency of the antenna. The obtained result was a complete kinematic description of the
antenna. This was used to determine the size and location of kinematic out-of-reach zones,
which are indicators of tactile acuity. We show that the oblique and non-orthogonal
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 53
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
arrangement is common to eight species from six sub-families indicating that it is a
synapomorphic character of the Euphasmatodea. This character can improve tactile acuity
compared to the situation in crickets, locusts and cockroaches. Finally, because molecular
data of a recent study indicate that the Phasmatodea may have evolved as flightless,
obligatory walkers, we argue that the antennal joint axis arrangement of the Euphasmatodea
reflects an evolutionary adaptation to tactile near range exploration during terrestrial
locomotion.
Noramly, B.M., Maklarin, B.L., Lapidin, J. & Butit, B. (2006) Mating pair of Aretaon
asperrimus from Poring. Kinabalu Park, Sabah. Sepilok Bulletin, 5: 27-35.
A mating pair of stick insects, Aretaon asperrimus, was observed along the Waterfall Trail,
Poring, Kinabalu Park, Sabah. The male and female specimens identified were measured and
documented. This is the first recorded image of a mating pair of Aretaon asperrimus in Poring.
The plant on which the mating pair was found was Chromolaena odorata.
Ramon-Rebolledo, R., Vivian-Medel, M. & Ruben-Palma, M. (2004) El palote
Heteronemia mexicana Gray (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) en la Novena Region de la
Araucania. [The stick insect Heteronemia mexicana Gray (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) in
the new region of Araucania]. Revista Chilena de Entomologia, 30(1): 55-58. [in Spanish]
The distribution and seasonal cycle of the phasmid Heteronemia mexicana Gray was
studied in the IX Region of La Araucania during the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 season, for
which periodical and sporadical observations were realised in different localities. The
material collected in the field was reared artificiality under semi-controlled conditions, to
study the life cycle of this species. The results indicate that H. mexicana is widely distributed
in the region of La Araucania, behaving like a monovoltine species. The adults emerge
during mid November surviving until end of May, the females having a longer lifetime.
Shima, H. (2006) A host-parasite catalog of Tachinidae (Diptera) of Japan. Makunagi ,
(Suppl. 2): 1-159.
Hosts of some 210 Japanese tachinid species are listed with localities where the hosts
were reared. It is recorded that about 30 species of Coleoptera, 1 of Dermaptera, 35 of
Hymenoptera, 34 of Hemiptera, 370 of Lepidoptera, 2 of Mantodea, 9 of Orthoptera and 1 of
Phasmida serve as hosts of Japanese tachinids. Contemporary scientific names are adopted
for both tachinids and host species and synonyms and other combinations of names are also
referred in tachinid species. Brief biological notes on tachinids are provided when available.
Terry, M.D. & Whiting, M.F. (2005) Mantophasmatodea and phylogeny of the lower
neopterous insects. Cladistics, 21(3): 240-257.
Polyneoptera is a name sometimes applied to an assemblage of 11 insect orders
comprising the lower neopterous or "orthopteroid" insects. These orders include familiar
insects such as Orthoptera (grasshoppers), Blattodea (roaches), Isoptera (termites) (Mantodea)
praying mantises, Dermaptera (earwigs), Phasmatodea (stick insects), Plecoptera (stoneflies),
as well as the more obscure, Embiidina (web-spinners), Zoraptera (angel insects) and
Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers). Many of these insect orders exhibit a high degree of
morphological specialization, a condition that has led to multiple phylogenetic hypotheses
and little consensus among investigators. We present a phylogenetic analysis of the
polyneopteran orders representing a broad range of their phylogenetic diversity and including
the recently described Mantophasmatodea. These analyses are based on complete 18S rDNA,
28 S rDNA, Histone 3 DNA sequences, and a previously published morphology matrix coded
at the ordinal level. Extensive analyses utilizing different alignment methodologies and
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 54
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
parameter values across a majority of possible ranges were employed to test for sensitivity of
the results to ribosomal alignment and to explore patterns across the theoretical alignment
landscape. Multiple methodologies support the paraphyly of Polyneoptera, the monophyly of
Dictyoptera, Orthopteroidea (sensu Kukalova-Peck; i.e. Orthoptera + Phasmatodea +
Embiidina), and a group composed of Plecoptera + Dermaptera + Zoraptera. Sister taxon
relationships between Embiidina + Phasmatodea in a group called "Eukinolabia", and
Dermaptera + Zoraptera ("Haplocercata") are also supported by multiple analyses. This
analysis also supports a sister taxon relationship between the newly described
Mantophasmatodea, which are endemic to arid portions of southern Africa, and
Grylloblattodea, a small order of cryophilic insects confined to the north-western Americas
and north-eastern Asia, in a group termed "Xenonomia". This placement, coupled with the
morphological disparity of the two groups, validates the ordinal status of Mantophasmatodea.
Tozier, C. (2005) Behavioral activity of Anisomorpha buprestoides possibly associated with
Hurricane Charley (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae). Florida Entomologist , 88(1): 106.
Reports the drumming behaviour of males of A. buprestoides immediately before the
onset of hurricane Charley.
Trewick, S.A., Goldberg, J. & Morgan-Richards, M. (2005) Fewer species of Argos arc bus
and Clitarchus stick insects (Phasmida, Phasmatinae): evidence from nuclear and
mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Zoologica Scripta, 34(5): 483-491.
The systematics of three genera of New Zealand stick insect in the subfamily
Phasmatinae were investigated in light of inconsistencies in morphological variability within
and among species. We sequenced a region of the mitochondrial genome, cytochrome
oxidase (COI & COII; 1448 bp), and a nuclear marker, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1
& ITS2; 1804 bp) from 49 stick insects. Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergences among
the three genera ( Argosarchus , Clitarchus and Acanthoxyla) were relatively high (similar to
12%) but the current taxonomy within genera was not supported. Within the three genera,
low levels of genetic divergence were observed at both nuclear and mitochondrial loci, and
phylogenetic analyses failed to support reciprocal monophyly of the two species in
Argosarchus and Clitarchus. Sympatric individuals of Argosarchus spiniger and A. horridus
were more closely related to each other than to members of their respective morphospecies
from elsewhere. No males were found in the Chatham Island population of Argosarchus and
although this population has been referred to as A. schauinslandi, genetic and morphological
evidence does not support its distinction from mainland Argosarchus. Likewise, individuals
identified as Clitarchus tuberculatus were genetically identical, or most similar to, C. hookeri
from the same or adjacent sites rather then grouping with the stick insects they were
morphologically most similar to. Lack of spatial, behavioural or ecological evidence
concordant with the described species A. spiniger , A. schauinslandi and C. tuberculatus leads
us to infer that these species are synonymies of A. horridus and C. hookeri respectively. We
conclude that Argosarchus and Clitarchus have each been over-split and actually consist of a
single morphologically polymorphic, facultative parthenogenetic species. The genus
Acanthoxyla with eight described species also has low levels of genetic divergence, similar to
those found in Argosarchus and Clitarchus. A possible hybrid origin of Acanthoxyla
involving its sister genus Clitarchus is implied by sharing of ITS sequence variants, but
further sampling is needed before the species status of these obligate parthenogenetic lineages
can be resolved. In contrast to some New Zealand Orthoptera, the Phasmatinae show little
genetic variation suggesting coalescence in recent times, possibly reflecting lineage sorting in
the Pleistocene.
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 55
A reprint of Phasmid Studies 16(1 & 2) - September & December 2007.
Phasmid abstracts
Verleyen-Neiryneck, J. & Verleyen-Neiryneck, L. (2007) Kweeklijst 2007. Phasma, 17(66): 12-24.
[In Dutch]
The results of the 2007 census of phasmid species in culture, listing PSG and Phasma members
who have each species and indicating who has established culture and starter cultures.
Yuan, F. &Yuan, X.Q. (2006) Research advances on phylogeny of hexapoda with a new
classification system. Entomotaxonomia , 28(1): 1-12.
The paper deals with the brief review on the historical changes for the class Insecta (Sen.
lat) to be subdivided into subclass and order, including the change on number of the orders, the
change on taxonomic categories for insects to belong to a superclass or a class in the phylum
Arthropoda, and the change of hierarchical arrangements, and phylogenetic research advances of
insects. According to the phylogenetic research advances of insects by means of combining
morphological and molecular data in last ten years, a detailed classification system of Hexapoda,
which is in conformity with the phylogenetic cladistic analysis, is put forward. On the basis of
the detailed classification system a simple and clear classification system is proposed as well.
This simple and clear classification system may indicates that each taxonomic taxon is a
monophyletic group and the recency of common ancestor, and can reduces some classification
hierarchies to make the recognition and identification of the taxonomic taxa convenient and easy.
The superclass Hexapoda is subdivided into 4 classes: Class Protura (subdivided into Orders
Acerentomata, Sinentomata, Eosentomata); Class Collembola (including Order Collembola);
Class Diplura (Order Diplura); Class Insecta. Class Insecta is subdivided into Subclass
Monocondylia (Order Archaeognatha) and Subclass Dicondylia. Subclass Dicondylia is
subdivided into Division Zygentoma (Order Zygentoma) and Division Pterygota. Division
Pterygota is subdivided into 10 Superorders and 27 Orders: (l)Superorder Ephemeropterodea
(Order Ephemeroptera), (2)Superorder Odonatodea (Order Odonata), (3)Suiperorder
Plecopterodea (Orders Plecoptera and Embioptera), (4) Superorder Orthopterodea (Orders
Orthoptera and Phasmatodea), (5)Superorder Blattodea (Orders Blattaria, Mantodea,
Mantophasmatodea, Isoptera, Dermaptera, Grylloblattodea, and Zoraptera), (6)Superorder
Hemipterodea (Orders Psocoptera, Phthiraptera, Thysanoptera and Hemiptera), (7)Superorder
Coleopterodea (Order Coleoptera), (8)Superorder Neuropterodea (Orders Megaloptera,
Raphidioptera and Neuroptera), (9)Superorder Hymenoptrodea (Order Hymenoptera), and
(10) Superorder Mecopterodea (Orders Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Mecoptera, Siphonaptera,
Diptera and Strepsiptera).
Errata for Phasmid Studies 14(1 &2) and 16(1).
Volume 14, number 1&2.
Pages 21-23
The page numbering read 13(1 &2) instead of 14(1 &2).
Volume 16, number 1.
Pages 7 & 9
The page headings should read: Biographies of Phasmatologists - 4. William Forsell Kirby.
Page 10
One phasmid paper by Kirby was omitted: Kirby, W.F. (1910) An undetermined species of stick- insect
found in Devonshire. Zoologist , (4)14: 197-198. This paper is the first record of a phasmid living in
Britain.
Page 10
Annales and magazine of natural History should read Annals and magazine of natural History.
Pages 11, 12, & 15
The wrong coden was used for Manchester Museum - it should be MMUE (not MUME).
Phasmid Studies, 16(2): 56
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